With all the craziness of the injuries this season, Yao is carrying the load right now and doing as well as anyone ever has. He is taking over down low in impressive fashion. He's even getting mad and if you don't like it, you'll hear about it. Against Miami he was 12 for 12 from the field, and then playing Denver he was 13-19 for 31 points, both big wins. He didn't look clumsy, or out of place. He just looked big and played big. He pushed and shoved and positioned himself for high percentage shots. He passed the ball beautifully and got the key rebounds needed at just the right time. If things didn't go the way he thought they should, he looked at the little guys in the stripped shirts and dressed them down in words they probably couldn't understand unless they've lived in China. It cost him a technical but point well taken. The way he played and how he played almost made me forget about the game earlier in the season.

When it comes down to it, Yao is the key to a title. Sometimes I get the feeling all of his teammates wish he would do more or do it differently but they know deep down inside, a dominating big man is a ticket to the top. Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest will be back from injuries in the next couple of weeks but Yao really will always be the CENTER of attention. If he can keep getting position on the low block and turning it into points along with pass the ball effectively, there isn't a team who can beat them in the West.

Will all things come together the way it's supposed to? Time will tell but right now, Yao is all teed up ready to knock out the second half of the season and look good doing it.