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SPORTS
THE battalion
7
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Rockets hope to shed injuries,
ready for first season with Yao
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Rockets
have used the formula before.
In the 1990s, they won two NBA titles after
building around Nigerian center Hakeem
Olajuwon. This year, they'll begin building
around another foreign center, 7-6 Yao Ming of
f l-i I? ’ NJ 1 f T» i o x
X ' 750F ' itpChina, the Rockets’ No. 1 pick this year in the
NBA draft.
The Rockets aren’t expected to go straight to
_ iau w the top with Yao, who has a soft jumper but plen-
'es, sssoo/negotaal ly to learn about fighting for rebounds with the
hkes of Shaquille O’Neal.
“The guy’s only been here a week,” said
coach Rudy Tomjanovich. “Don’t get me wrong.
He’s doing great, but he had two practices that
were way up here. He leveled off to being a nor-
il human being. You’re going to have your ups
1 downs.”
Yao has had little rest before his first season in
the NBA. He played for the Chinese national team
the Asian Games then came directly to the
United States.
He had two practices with the Rockets before
playing in his first exhibition game against the
San Antonio Spurs. The following night, he
played at home for the first time against the
Philadelphia 76ers.
Since then, he’s been practicing and trying to
absorb enough information to be able to start the
season for Houston.
“It’ll be the start of my NBA career,” Yao said.
“Ihope the game gets here quickly.”
The Rockets feature all-star guard Steve
Francis and Yao, and Tomjanovich is excited
about getting over the injuries that plagued the
Rockets last year.
Glen Rice missed most of last season recover-
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ing from knee surgery. Maurice Taylor was out last
season recovering from Achilles’ tendon surgery.
Taylor will miss the first five games serving a
suspension tor marijuana possession last season.
Rice isn t full speed because of his knee, and
Kenny Thomas has a fractured thumb.
1 just wish we were healthy,” Tomjanovich
said. I can t get anxious. The good news is
these aren t season-long things. I feel good about
it when we get healthy and a young kid like Yao
has a chance to be with us a while. Then, I’ll
have good positive feelings.”
Shot-blocking forward Eddie
Griffin in ready for his second
season after an impressive rookie
year. He had 134 blocks and was
the first rookie to lead the
Rockets in blocked shots since
Olajuwon in 1984-85.
He was the first rookie in
NBA history to average more
than one blocked shot (1.84)
and one 3-pointer made per game in a season.
“I definitely want to lead the league, that’s one
of my goals,’ Griffin said. “Blocked shots are the
best moment, when you block somebody’s shot,
they get down a little bit.”
In addition to Yao, the Rockets drafted Bostjan
Nachbar of Slovania in the first round.
Tomjanovich’s pledge for the season has been to
play better defense, and it’s been a big emphasis
throughout the preseason.
“Coach told us today he thought our defense
was ahead of the offense and normally it’s the
other way around,” Francis said. “I think that’s
(offense) the only thing we need to catch up on.
We’ll be ready. I know we’ll be ready.”
YAO MING
Braves’ coach Yost returns to former
team, named manager of Brewers
MILWAUKEE (AP) —
Atlanta Braves coach Ned Yost
was hired as manager of the
Milwaukee Brewers on
i Tuesday, returning to the team
i, water paid, where he was a backup catcher
bis, 846-835) in the 1980s.
The 47-year-old Yost agreed to
a two-year contract with a club
option for 2005. Financial terms
were not announced.
“Ned showed great detenni-
lation for this opportunity,” gen
eral manager Doug Melvin said
in a statement. “He has enthusi-
ism for the organization and
frings a great desire to help us to
'iSttE '“f" 110 aiming baseball.”
Yost will replace the fired Jerry
Royster, who wqs fired after the
Brewers finished with a franchise-
worst 56-106 record this season.
Oakland bench coach Ken
Macha turned down an offer from
me Brewers last week. The A’s
will introduce Macha as their new
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manager Tuesday.
Melvin’s other candidates
included Brewers bench coach
Cecil Cooper, Arizona
Diamondbacks bench coach Bob
Melvin (no relation) and New
York Yankees third-base coach
Willie Randolph.
Yost interviewed for a major
league managerial job for the first
time with the Brewers.
The 47-year-old Yost has been
the Braves’ third-base coach the
last four seasons, a position he
believes has groomed him to
become a manager.
“I’m not sure I was ready
four years ago because I’d never
been tested.” Yost said after
interviewing with the Brewers
earlier this month.
“I’d never been in situations
that were pressure situations.
But when you become a third-
base coach for a championship-
caliber team, it’s almost like you
become a player. Your decisions
have direct impact on a game,
and you better make them cor
rectly and you better make them
quickly,” he said.
Yost was a backup catcher on
the 1982 Milwaukee team that
won the AL pennant. He said he
would love a chance to try to turn
around the Brewers, who haven’t
been to the playoffs since losing to
St. Louis in the ’82 World Series.
“I’m not interested in any
other job,” Yost said after his
interview. “I want to see this
organization flourish again
because I know how wonderful it
is in this town when they can
(win), and when they do. That’s
what gets me excited.”
Yost batted .212 with 16
career homers over six major
league seasons. His only experi
ence as a manager was with
Atlanta’s Class-A affiliate from
1988-90.
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