Year of the Yao on IFC
2003:
Seven foot, five inch Yao Ming was being out-rebounded by the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal, even though the 22-year-old center from China had four inches of height on Shaq. He was also being being mauled, elbowed, and generally manhandled by the heavier American NBA legend. Yao is deeply embarrassed and beginning to show a little anger. He pivots in the slot, hooking the ball in a nearly flat trajectory straight through the hoop. Elegant, clean. Shaq could only stand and glare. (more…)


