The start to a great rivalry?

MSNBC.Com / WashingtonPost.Com ^ | HOUSTON, Jan. 17, 2003 | By Rachel Nichols THE WASHINGTON POST

[Bobby777]

For the last three months, the education of Yao Ming has included chalk talks and film study, footwork drills and shooting instruction. There is no diagram, however, to explain Shaquille O’Neal.

...

Through it all, O’Neal has watched with a jaded eye. Earlier this week, he said, “I don’t feel I have to outscore him and outdo him to solidify my position in this game. Everyone knows who I am. In America, in China, in Africa, they all know who I am.”

[Support Free Republic]

Irate Soccer Fans Might Pelt You With Water Balloons If You Don't Donate!
	Donate Here By Secure Server Or mail checks to FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794 or you can use PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com
STOP BY AND BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD

[Bobby777]

bump

[hole_n_one]

I think you and I are the only ones that are interested in this match-up........did I mention the 1.3 billion people in China?

Ya know, if you post this type of article directly to the appropriate forum (GI), the emotional impact of having your post shoveled there is far less unsettling.

[hole_n_one]

Mark Chang of Houston airs his feelings outside the arena where Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal will face Houston Rockets center Yao Ming for the first time later in the evening Friday, Jan. 17, 2003 in Houston. The Organization of Chinese Americans held a press conference to protest what they call derogatory remarks by O'Neal. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) - Jan 17 5:22 PM ET

[Bobby777]

LOL ... you may be right ... I'm rooting for Yao ... he's shown more class so far ... rivalry is one thing ... I think Shaq is a bully on the court ... I saw him matched up against Rodman one night ... and the refs were clearing not calling the game the same ... of course, Rodman is something else ... but biased refs aren't proper sports ...

[hole_n_one]

I'd hate to be Yao in about 20 minutes from now.

[babaloo999]

Being the lone Rockets fan on this forum, I hope Shaq doesn't score 50 points. Unless the rest of the team only scores 30.

[hole_n_one]

I hope Shaq doesn't score 50 points.

Is that for the 1st quarter or the half?

[babaloo999]

Er, umm. Yes. That is correct. Yao's liable to get three or four fouls in the first five minutes. Looks it's almost game time, eh?

[hole_n_one]

You know the ol' saying about first impressions being the most important.........

Yao will be very, very impressed......

he might even be wearing that impression on his face for the next couple of weeks.

[hole_n_one]

Yao blocks Shaq!

LOL!

[babaloo999]

Good start so far.

[hole_n_one]

Laker 17-0 run finally halted......

L.A. by 9 ......last seconds.....1st quarter

[uncbob]

LOL ... you may be right ... I'm rooting for Yao ... he's shown more class so far ... rivalry is one thing ... I think Shaq is a bully on the court ... I saw him matched up against Rodman one night ... and the refs were clearing not calling the game the same ... of course, Rodman is something else ... but biased refs aren't proper sports ...

If Wilt Chamberlain would have been allowed to get away with half of Shack does he would have averaged a 100 points a game

In fact it was just the opposite as the refs let them pound on Wilt

[hole_n_one]

Does Yao even know what the word rebound means?

[hole_n_one]

[Bobby777]

are those from tonight's game? ... I'm not able to get the game on regular TV ... what's the score?

[hole_n_one]

They are

Lakers 40
Rockets 38
3 minutes left.... 2nd quarter

Go here for real time updates.

[Bobby777]

thanks for the link ... how's the match-up going?