12 15 Everything zen Page 28
www.playmakeronline.com
Lost in Translation This article was first run on SLAMOnline.com as part of their 2010 SLAMOnline Top 50 NBA player rankings.
by Adam Sweeney You don’t understand Yao Ming. Admit it. You don’t understand where he came from as a rookie from Shanghai. You don’t get how hard he has worked to transcend cultures and basketball philosophies, and you certainly can’t begin to grasp the pain he has endured to recover from foot surgery. All you need to understand is this. Yao Ming, when healthy, is the best center in the NBA and the Houston Rockets’ title hopes rest on the success or failure of his return.
20
Critics of Yao Ming say that he is a finesse player, lacking the killer instinct it takes to carry a team to a deep playoff run. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In Game 1 of the 2009 playoff battle against the Los Angeles Lakers, Yao came back from an injury to score 8 points in the final minutes of the game on way to a 100-92 win in L.A. The career-threatening injury Yao is recovering from? He got that by playing through pain in Game 3 of that playoff series. Don’t get it twisted. Just because Yao doesn’t mug for the camera every time he dunks doesn’t mean he isn’t hungry. There was another humble big man out of Houston who struggled to win a title early in his career, ultimately climbing the highest peak when he found a harmo harmony with his clutch teammates. That man is Hakeem Olajuwon, fitting because Yao is the most skilled big man to play in the Association since “The Dream.” What he does at his size is in complete contradiction with the laws of physics. Let’s go the tape for an example: To understand the importance of Yao Ming, we have to strip away the YouTube and ESPN highlight mentality we’ve so eagerly grown attached to. You’ll never catch Yao on an AND 1 Mixtape or popping his jersey. At some point we decided that was a bad thing. But, like yin to yang, Yao has merged the selfless culture of China with the individualistic nature of the NBA, and somehow he never leans too far in one direction. And still we want more. We want him to be like us, assuming that is the correct form of existence. But to ask Yao not to involve his teammates Page 28
www.playmakeronline.com
Pistolero A man possessing speed and skill. A professional hitman. That’s Manu Ginobili. By Javier Perez We’ve already seen it this season for the NBAbest San Antonio Spurs. When the game is on the line, there are only a few players in the NBA who you’d trust with the ball as the final seconds tick off the clock. Ginobili is one of them. He can create his own shot off the dribble, beat a one-on-one defender to the basket, hit a stepback jumper or three-pointer, and even run a great pattern away from the ball to set himself up for an easy basket. He’s also an iceman in crunch time, which to Spurs fans seems appropriate and yet blasphemous, but it’s true. We see plenty of buzzerbeaters every season in the NBA and how do most guys react after hitting one? A lot of times they act like baseball teams do after a walk-off home run. There’s usually a scrum of teammates all jumping and chanting in rhythm. And yet, how did Manu react when he knocked down a game-winning shot against the Milwaukee Bucks this season? He gave a small fist pump before walking off the floor. He’s clearly inherited Tim Duncan’s coolness factor. It shows signs of his growth. In previous seasons, even the championship years, he was always riding an emotional rollercoaster. Now he’s as steady as a rock throughout the game, with the exception of an occasional discussion with a referee. His behavior is the key to seeing how his role with the team has evolved. His stats have improved significantly in the last two years. If he stays healthy, he should have the best statistical postseason of his career. But his numbers don’t tell the whole story. If you get a chance to go to a game, watch what he does during the pregame shoot-around and in the huddles. He’s become an unquestioned leader on the team with the best record in the NBA. During the pregame, he doesn’t take very many shots the way most of the other players do. He warms up almost like a baseball player, spending most of his time stretching and preparing his body for the way he plays the game night in and night
out. He’s taken some beatings throughout the years because he doesn’t shy away from contact and plays his best when he’s getting into the paint. As a consistent starter for the first time since the 2005-2006 season, he’s logging more minutes than ever. And he and the organization know that their championship fortunes hinge on his health. He also leads the team huddle with Tim Duncan before the game starts. He makes sure that everybody knows their assignments and is prepared with the game plan before the opening tip. Duncan also has words with everyone in the huddle, but doesn’t say as much as Ginobili because right now Duncan’s minutes are limited and Tony Parker is the only player on the team logging more minutes than Manu. So it’s important for the team to have their leader on the court for more than 30 minutes.
In prevIous seasons,
even the champIonshIp years, he was always rIdIng an emotIonal rollercoaster. now he’s as steady as a rock throughout the game, wIth the exceptIon of an occasIonal dIscussIon wIth a referee. His play has also changed as a result of his new role as the team’s leader. It used to be that he’d come off the bench and Pop would just say, “Manu, make something happen. Everyone else, right now our offense is going through Manu.” Now, as a starter, he isn’t so streaky and he gels into the flow of the offense. He’s also been a much more efficient passer the last two years, averaging his higher assists per game than at
Page 28
www.playmakeronline.com
29
mAy we see your hAll PAss? Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio both come up for eligibility for Cooperstown in 2011... But will both be immortalized in bronze or will one be snubbed by the Hall of Fame? By Javier Perez
eVerythinG Zen Let’s Give Arian Foster the credit he deserves. He’s the best back in Texas, and up until now, he’s run under the radar. Now that he’s paid his dues, it’s his turn to get the NFL’s attention By Adam Sweeney
lost in trAnslAtion Yao Ming’s career has been a mix of highs and lows, and now that injury may have taken him out of the game for good. We take a look back at a player that never got the recognition he deserved. By Adam Sweeney
Pistolero Fast, quick-thinking, and is blessed with deadly aim ... We dish on the San Antonio Spurs’ professional hitman, Manu Ginobli. By Javier Perez
feBrUArY 2011 6
The Six Shooter
7
Out of Bounds with Sugarland
The Playmaker staff gives six bold thoughts on Texas Sports.
Playmaker Magazine sits down with the honey-voiced Sugarland singer, Jennifer Nettles.
9 Texas Time Machine
We posit the hypothetical rise of the Houston Oilers if they had defeated the Buffalo Bills in 1993.
10 Grappling with Convention
Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu instructor Ariadne Burkhart talks about her sport.
18 Shattering the Ceiling
We get the scoop from Houston Chronicle blogger Anna-Megan Raley on her passion for her profession.
26 Great Expectations
We chat with Dennis Franchione about returning to Texas State as head coach and the new program.
27 Track Athlete of the Month
Core Running Company and Playmaker Magazine spotlight Bailey Johnson of Dripping Springs High School. Photo by Adam Sweeney Playmaker Magazine
page 3