When it comes to basketball in
China, Yao Ming
is still the king. But Yi Jianlian's time could be coming soon.
Yao and Yi each had their share of highlights in the
much-anticipated first NBA matchup of the country's greatest player
and its top rising star, and Yao's Houston Rockets beat Yi's
Milwaukee Bucks 104-88 yesterday.
Yao had 28 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Yi had 19
points and nine rebounds.
The game was an enormous event in China, where it started early
yesterday morning. It was being broadcast on 19 television networks
and NBA officials were expecting the largest-ever viewing audience
for a game, well over 200 million.
As a bonus, those watching also got to see plenty of Tracy
McGrady, who had 21 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, and
Michael Redd, who had 26 points for Milwaukee.
The Bucks have lost eight straight games in Houston and haven't
won there since 1999.
But this one was more about Yao and Yi than the teams
involved.
About 90 minutes before the game, Yao and Yi shook hands at
midcourt and posed for about two dozen photographers, most of them
Chinese. It was a staged photo opportunity, and Yao had to wait a
few minutes before Yi came out of the Bucks locker room.
"You know what?" Yao said afterward, with a kidding smile.
"Rookies should not do that."
The two slapped hands and smiled before the opening tip. When
the ball went up, Yao inadvertently tapped it straight at Yi.
Guarded by McGrady, Yi missed a shot from the wing.
Yao Ming (L) from Houston Rockets and Yi
Jianlian from Milwaukee pose for a photo by holding a basketball on
a press conference Nov. 9, 2007.(Xinhua Photo)
Yao got the ball down low on Houston's first possession and sank
two free throws after getting fouled by Andrew Bogut. Yi guarded
Chuck Hayes most of the game.
Both players had impressive blocked shots early. There were a
few embarrassing goofs, too. Yao missed an uncontested dunk with
four minutes left in the first quarter. Yi shot an airball a minute
later.
Yao banked in a shot with 21.6 seconds left in the quarter, the
first field goal by either star. The Bucks led 25-24 after one.
With Yi resting on the bench, Milwaukee missed its first six
shots of the second quarter during a 16-1 Rockets run. Yi returned
with 8:54 left in the first half and was promptly called for
goaltending when he leaped high to swat Shane Battier's shot.
Yi ended Milwaukee's drought with his first field goal, swishing
a jumper from the wing with 7:52 left in the half to cut Houston's
lead to 40-28.
But Yao had most of the first-half highlights, scoring 14 with
six rebounds and three assists to help Houston to a 50-41 lead.
Yi had two points and three rebounds at the break, then shined
in the third quarter to help the Bucks close to within six.
He banked in a straight-on 3-pointer 40 seconds before halftime,
drawing a disbelieving roll of the eyes from McGrady, then laid in
an alley-oop pass from Redd. Yi sank another 3-pointer with 5:41
left in the third quarter to cut Houston's lead to 66-60.
With Yi on the bench, the Bucks cut Houston's lead to three
early in the fourth. Yao kept the Rockets ahead, flipping in a
short jumper and hitting two free throws for an 82-77 lead.
The two then hit three consecutive shots. Yi hit a running
jumper with 8:26 remaining. Yao answered with another turnaround.
Yi swished a 3-pointer to make it 84-82.
Bonzi Wells scored inside before McGrady hit a 3-pointer from
the top of the key to put Houston up 89-82.
Yi finally defended Yao near the 4-minute mark, but Wells scored
twice to push the lead back into double digits and the Rockets
stayed in control from there.
The two embraced at midcourt when the final horn sounded, saying
little before walking in opposite directions.
(Shanghai Daily via Agencies November 10, 2007)
