Week of Yao

Damien Pierce
Rockets.com Staff Writer
HOUSTON -- Since the regular season tipped off earlier this month, the Rockets have been raving about Yao Ming's level of play.

The rest of the league took notice on Monday.

Yao was named the Western Conference's Player of the Week for the fourth time in his career after putting together one of the most dominating weeks of his NBA career.

Yao guided the Rockets to four straight wins over the week, averaging 29.0 points on 55.7 percent shooting and 11.3 rebounds.

"I think the last couple of games I've played smarter and I've been able to stay out of foul trouble," Yao said of his recent play. "I think also I've done a better job of running the floor."

Yao had two double-doubles for the week and led the Rockets in scoring in three of Houston’s four games, including consecutive 30-point games against New York and Miami. He also matched a career-high with seven blocked shots against the Knicks.

Yao's performance on Sunday night was the best of the bunch as he scored 34 points and pulled down 14 rebounds in a highly-anticipated matchup against Miami's Shaquille O'Neal. Houston picked up an impressive 94-72 victory thanks to his efforts.

The Rockets, of course, have been impressed with Yao's emergence.

"I think he understands his size now," Rockets forward Shane Battier said. "As crazy as that sounds, I think early on, obviously he was the biggest guy on the floor, but I don't think he always believed he was the biggest guy on the floor. He knows how to use his height as his strength to create advantages."