Yao's Asian Basketball games -2005 <font color="red"><font size="3"><font color="black">China beat Iran 76-61 in Asian Basketball Championships</font></font> <u><font color="darkred">www.chinaview.cn</font></u> <font color="gray">2005-09-08 16:52:00</font> </font> DOHA, Sept. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Houston Rockets center Yao Ming led China to beat Iran 76-61 in the opener of the 23rd Asian Basketball Championships here on Thursday. <font color="red"><font color="navy">Yao Ming collected 29 points, 17 rebounds and 3 blocks in the match. He was double-teamed from the very beginning, but he soon got Iranian centers into foul trouble and made 23 free throws.</font> </font> The Chinese team suffered from a slow start in the match as they could not find the way to stop the Iranians from scoring out of the arc. They even legged behind 15-14 after the first period. But as the Iranians committed more fouls and sent Yao Ming timeand again to the line, the Chinese team gradually gained an upper hand and pulled away to lead 59-50 after the third period. <font color="navy">The fourth period was totally dominated by the Chinese team. Yao Ming was just unstoppable. He did an excellent job at both ends of the court and led China to a comfortable 76-61 win.</font> China will play Chinese Taipei while Iran takes on Uzbekistan on Friday
Wow. 23 made free throws. Yao seems to be in the groove. Although Iran is a traditionally weak basketball country, the fact that Yao was able to get such numbers while being double-teamed is definitely a feat. However, Yao only made 3 field goals?
I was under the impression Yao was not going to play any basketball during the summer because of an injury? Sounds like Iran tried to use a Hack-a-Yao strategy in the game. Trip, he probably only made 3 field goals, because of the frequency he was fouled at. Good to see Yao active on the boards though, 17 rebounds is something Yao should trive for every game.
Yao's recovered fully from that injury now. He's already evaded playing in a five-game Stankovic Cup held in Beijing in July, but he had a previous commitment to playing in the Asian Basketball Championships, which if I'm not wrong, also serves as the World Basketball Championships qualifier for next year. I'm not against him playing in this competition because it would help him get in shape without being tired out much against inferior competition.
That's what I like to see from Yao....I mean it may be just Iran, but he was double teamed and still was dominant....the points was an incentive though in my opinion....I'm impressed with the 17 rebounds....I want to see that here in Houston... let's keep track of the rest of his games...
im impressed only if someone tells me how tall these iranian centers are (they should be tall im guessing) yao is improving<----good sign for us
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow. 23 made free throws. Yao seems to be in the groove. Although Iran is a traditionally weak basketball country, the fact that Yao was able to get such numbers while being double-teamed is definitely a feat. However, Yao only made 3 field goals?</div> In fact, Yao made 17 times in 23 free throws, while he hit 6 field goals in about 11 field goal attempts.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TmacGarnett:</div><div class="quote_post">im impressed only if someone tells me how tall these iranian centers are (they should be tall im guessing)</div> That guy is as tall as Yao^^!
I think that would be Jaber Roubzhani. He is 7-5 and was in the 2004 NBA draft, but went undrafted. He could dunk with his feet planted and is just 19 I think. He's too raw for the NBA though...
Holy jeebus!! Maybe it was just taken from a deceptively good angle but man, look at the size of Yao's arms!! I hope he starts being an inside bully this year. I am PUMPED for the season, who else is with me??
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SupraJames:</div><div class="quote_post">Holy jeebus!! Maybe it was just taken from a deceptively good angle but man, look at the size of Yao's arms!! I hope he starts being an inside bully this year. I am PUMPED for the season, who else is with me??</div> ESPN's Rich Bucher said in an article that he saw Yao in person and was also very surprised how big his arms were, and thinks its a sign that he's greatly increased his upper-body strength. I've seen a few photographs of him from this summer, and they've all pretty much confirmed that Yao has gotten a lot more muscles.
<div align="left"><font size="4">China, Qatar register victories</font></div> <div align="left"><font size="1">Published: Saturday, 10 September, 2005, 08:51 AM Doha Time</font></div> <div align="left"><font size="2"><font color="#ff0000"><u>By John Verghese</u> [Article]</font></font></div> <div align="left"><font size="2"><font color="#ff0080">Defending champions China produced a display of finesse and fluency to record a convincing 76-58 win over Chinese Taipei in the 23rd Fiba Asia Championship for Men at the Al Gharafa Club sports complex here yesterday. It was China?s second straight victory after their opening day?s win over Iran.</font></font></div> <div align="left"><font size="2"></div> Houston Rockets? centre Yao Ming was sparingly used by Lithuanian coach Jonas Kazlauska but he left his mark playing a leading role picking up 15 points and eight rebounds. Ming thus served notice that he is indeed a rare breed in the Asian continent. Ming was taken off in the second quarter and came back only in the third quarter but his brief presence was sufficient for him to be his team?s highest scorer. China coach Kazlauska was satisfied with his team?s performance. ?My aim was to rotate the players to test my bench strength so Ming was only sparingly used,? he said. ?We are preparing for the future and so we tried new tactics and players. We could have won by a bigger margin with the regulars but it will not help the team?s cause if the youngsters do not get the exposure.? </font>
Not that great of a picture, but you can tell Yao has put on some serious muscle since last season. Hopefully this means a real aggresive big man for the rockets this season.
bplld that picture is great haha. Get the Rebound Yao! But yea his arms do look alot smaller. And that's a pic from this last season.