Shaq undoubtedly underestimated him, the pre-game hype of Yao Ming vs. Shaquille O’Neal had him a bit fired up.
After all, Shaq is the regular season MVP, NBA champion, Finals MVP, a true superstar.
Known as the most dominant center in the NBA since Ah Gan.
Though he was long dominated by Ah Gan, that was Ah Gan; what qualifications does Yao Ming have to compare with him other than the same nationality?
As one of the most massive players in NBA history, Shaq possesses the arrogance of a giant.
However, faced with the even taller Yao Ming, Shaq’s heart was filled with disdain, yet a hint of jealousy.
He wasn’t jealous of Yao Ming’s touch or ability to play alongside Ah Gan, but saw through Yao Ming the relentless passage of time.
Whether in the Magic or Lakers, after every loss, the most common consolation Shaq heard was, "You’re still young, the future will be yours."
Damn, it’s been said for so many years, that guy dominating the league still refuses to leave, I’ve moved and he’s still on my heels.
Yao Ming’s draft year is exactly 10 years after Shaq’s, so this season marks Shaq’s 10th year in the league as a veteran.
From age 20 to 30, except for one championship, the future that truly belongs to him never seemed to arrive.
After arriving at the Heat, no one talks about the future anymore, because giants like Yao Ming have already entered the league.
After being blocked and scored on by Yao Ming repeatedly, Shaq finally set aside his arrogance and got serious about offense.
Receiving the ball in the low post, he made a solid pivot, pushing off Yao Ming to secure position and slammed it home with one hand!
Yao Ming wanted to block this shot but couldn’t reach it; Shaq’s positioning was excellent, making it impossible to block, or even jump.
At the first official timeout of the quarter, the Glory Team led the Heat by 4 points at 17:13. Besides Yao Ming, Jordan and Gan Guoyang could score with ease.
The Heat’s other positions were average in strength. At the power forward, PJ Brown partnered with Shaq to provide some help. Meanwhile, rookie Caron Butler, at the two and three positions, showed certain capability, being one of the more standout rookies this year with stable scoring performances in the previous games.
Riley didn’t mind, during the timeout, he just told Shaq, don’t get hurt, play however you like.
The Heat’s real battleground is next year’s draft and free market; Riley’s primary task with the Shark is hoping he can lose some weight.
Sweating profusely, Shaq didn’t care much about winning the game, knowing that the chances of winning tonight were slim.
Ah Gan and Jordan are too daunting; with just a bit of effort in the second half, they could take the game away.
Shaq’s target was Yao Ming; getting blocked and scored on at the start made him lose face.
Back when he first entered the league as a rookie, he was crushed by Ah Gan, casting a psychological shadow.
Now at 30, an experienced veteran, with new rookies entering, he still wants to crush them? They all think I’m just an experience bag?
Seniors first, then juniors, really treating my Shark as a little fish.
After the timeout, returning to the game, Gan Guoyang was already off for a rest, and Yao Ming still remained on the court.
Confronting Shaq undoubtedly gave Yao Ming great confidence, after all it’s the Big Shark.
At this moment, Yao Ming became the core of Glory Team’s interior, with some strategies revolving around him.
However, at this time, Yao Ming wasn’t as decisive as when Gan Guoyang was on the court, where receiving the ball meant playing.
He chose to observe and then pass to a teammate, but the pass wasn’t great, lacking practical effect.
The ball ended up with Jordan, who faced Miami Heat’s no longer aggressive defense, moving unhurriedly to the baseline, pausing momentarily and hitting a jump shot.
Similarly, Shaq set up two screens and facilitated for teammates, as an experienced veteran, he wasn’t eager to teach Yao Ming a lesson.
Gan Guoyang, watching from the bench, sensed the dynamics on the court and thought that Shaq had indeed matured, not rushing to shoot, but waiting for the right moment.
Sure enough, after Yao Ming slackened his defense when Shaq didn’t post up twice, Shaq seized the chance, cut to the basket, received a teammate’s pass, spun and slammed it in with both hands!
The hoop shook, and Yao Ming didn’t have time to defend, thinking Shaq was going to screen again.
Despite appearing bulky with seemingly simple scoring means, Shaq played very smartly.
Anyone who battled on the court against Gan Guoyang for years learnt to use their brains in the game, not being sly just won’t do.
Yao Ming was too straightforward, still wanting to contest directly with Shaq, not realizing how swiftly the Miami Heat’s help defense came.
The ball was stripped from Yao Ming by Butler, a turnover, and the Heat went on a fast break.
Shaq wouldn’t miss such an opportunity, quickly positioning, backing down Yao Ming to demand the ball.
Receiving the ball and turning to the basket, he wasn’t avoiding anymore; firmly holding down Yao Ming, using his absolute advantage in weight and strength, he scored again with a forceful dunk!
Shaq, like a cunning shark, circled with his fin showing; you never know when he’ll spring up and take a bite.
Yao Ming finally realized the terror of the Great Shark, with strength and skill so perfectly combined.
Can’t fathom how Lao Gan once completely contained this Shark, creating a psychological shadow, battling him from east to west, then west to east.
Gan Guoyang, sitting on the bench, thought Yao was indeed still young and immature; such plays require fronting defense to disrupt. But Yao’s height and build meant he wasn’t suited for fronting defense.