Yao Ming came into the NBA with heavy expectations and all kinds of hype: He was going to challenge Shaq and be the next most dominant center in the league. He was going to be a huge force down low as a post scorer and rebounder, a gigantic defensive force using his height to be an imposing shot-blocker.
But his impact on the Rockets' games, and in particular during their 8-game winning streak leaning up to the break, has been more complementary than dominant. In fact, a strong case can be made that it's the adjustments and improvements in Tracy McGrady's game more than anything else that have Houston back on the winning track. That and Jeff Van Gundy easing up on his tireless devotion to grind-it-out basketball.