Rockets’ Yao still growing as a player

Yao Ming iss tronger, more mobile, in better condition and has more movest han ever.

That translates into bad news for the rest of the NBA as the 7-6 Houston Rockets center, who

now speaks > uent Englis h, a lso has a > uent

game.

“ Despite what people say about wanting more, Yao is a very good player and I don’t unders tand the criticism he gets,” says Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy. “ He has made steady progress. Does he have greatness in him of Shaquille O’Neal? Time will tell. But he doesn’t have to apologize for being a very good player in this league and doing something that no man of his size has done, which is to be something other than a specialist.”

Yao’ss coring and shooting have improved in each of his ; rst three seasons to 18.3 points a game and 55.2% last season. Early indications are thiss eason will be even better.

Yao is averaging 18.8 points in 27.2 minutes a game this preseason. He is showing a variety of new moves inside. In addition to making 53.4% of hiss hots, he getst o the free throw line 6.5 times a game. He got there only 6.2 times in 30.6 minutes a game last season.

“ I still need some improvements offensively and defensively,” Yao said. “ But I feel I’m more physical on the post and inside. In the games I played, I drew a lot of fouls and got to the free throw line. That’s my game. . . . I just feel comfortable.”

Yao had surgery after last season to remove a bone spur from his foot and had more down time this offseason than ever. He rehabilitated in Houston instead of going to China to rejoin his national team as he usually does. He did play for China in the Asian championships.

He spent the offseason working out with assistant coach Tom Thibodeau and a strength coach.

“ Yao isv ery strong, that hasn’t been the problem,” Van Gundy says. “ Conditioning, mobility and balance have been, and he’s making improvements in those areas.

. . . No one talks about a 7-6 guy running the > oorwell, but he does.

“ In his ; rst year, he looked like he was on a downhill slope on offense, but on d efens e it was like a 5 0degree incline. Even though he still fouls, his help is earlier, his pickandroll coverages are better.”

Rocketss tar Tracy McGrady is impressed with what he has seen from his fellow All- Star.

“ He’s looking good. He’s staying strong and holding his position,” McGrady said. “ That’s our best offense, getting the ball to him and going inside-out or me and him playing pick- and- roll.”

Celtics exercise option:

The Boston Celtics have exercised the fourth- year option on center Kendrick Perkins. Perkins was originally selected in the ; rst round (27th overall) by the Memphis Grizzlies. He’s averaged 2.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per game.