vs.
POSTGAME QUOTES
DECEMBER 10, 2002


On the game:
"Just a great win against a team that has had it on us for a long time. We knew they were going to make a run. They’re a class team. We talked about it and all things you don’t do, and yet we did them in the beginning of the third quarter. If you go cold, you just have to get back and get matched up with them. We had some miscues and they took advantage of it. They shoot the ball well, and they don’t even have (Mike) Bibby. We had a lot of good contributions from a lot of people. We passed the ball well again, and we’re starting to get some chemistry with Yao.”

On Yao Ming’s defense:
“He’s doing better and better in that area. He hasn’t been the foul-prone guy. He’s made the adjustment (to the NBA) quicker than a lot of big guys. He just blows my mind. We ask him to do a lot of stuff, like fronting people. A lot of big guys just play behind."

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On getting his teammates involved:
"When I’m seeing them score points, it feels like I’m scoring points myself."

On facing the double-team in the second half:
"Their coach obviously thought it was necessary. (When I saw the double team) I knew that my teammates would have opportunities."

On winning tonight’s game:
"It’s like eating a great meal. It’s very enjoyable."

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On Yao Ming:
"I love him. You only have to tell him stuff one time and he listens. He’s not a cocky kid. He’s lovable. I just love playing with him. It takes a lot of pressure off myself. I don’t have to go as crazy out there. It’s great to have somebody that big down low that has that much of an impact."

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On the game:
"Like I said a couple days in advance; I think that by us being a team that’s trying to learn how to win, this is a big step toward that. By us playing the way we did, just to get a win against a contender like the Sacramento Kings is good."

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On the key to the game:
"We had a very poor second quarter. We didn’t defend, and they took advantage of it. Houston played a fine game."

On the Rockets:
"I really like their team. It’s a playoff team for sure. They have a nice group of guys, and I think they’ll take advantage of their schedule this month."

On Chris Webber:
"He’s been our main guy for years. We didn’t get enough contributions from everyone else, and it caught up to us. We didn’t play to the same level we did in San Antonio."

On his team’s health status:
"We’re hoping by next week we’ll have two or three more guys coming back. It was good to have Peja back tonight. It would be real nice to have 10 bodies in practice. It will be the highlight of the season for us."

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On the Kings' play:
"It’s my job to rally the groups and it didn’t work tonight. We knew Houston would come out and be ready, because there was a lot of talk about how often we’ve beaten them lately. My job is to be aggressive and stick to my game. We got beat by a good team tonight. (Eddie) Griffin’s play was big for them."

On Steve Francis:
"The Franchise is really something special. Steve Franchise is just awesome, and now he has a little help from Yao."

On Yao Ming:
"Every game he gets more and more comfortable. He is learning the game on the go, and he is playing with a great group of guys and a coach that knows how to play with a big man."

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On his play this season:
"I am having a good season, but I just hate losing. We have a great team, and we feel as though we can win every game we play. I’m very happy with my overall play, and I hope to continue it all year."

On Yao Ming:
"He is really going to be a treat to watch. His greatest skill is his passing. I don’t see anything but bright things ahead for him if they can get him the ball."

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On his role with the team:
"It’s a great situation for me, because of the team and the players we have. I’m glad I’m here, and I hope to make the best of it."