Originally Published: May 7, 2009, 03:40 AM

Yao's Great Wall of burdens crumbles with Game 6 win

Posted By Diego | NBA News | May 7, 2009, 03:40 AM |

Before he walked off the court and practically swept Dikembe Mutombo off his crutches in a bearhug, Yao Ming was sprinting back against a fastbeak to block a layup by Steve Blake.

The biggest man had the biggest burden and Yao's was like the Great Wall of China -- they say you can see it from outer space.

Six previous seasons in the NBA and he had never won a Playoff series. Two prior painful experiences with Game 7s and he didn't want to go there again.

"It will be different tonight," Yao had said about an hour before the opening tip, as he sat in front of his locker with a heat pad draped over his right shoulder. "It will be different."

read more

Embed Before he walked off the court and practically swept Dikembe Mutombo off his crutches in a bearhug, Yao Ming was sprinting back against a fastbeak to block a layup by Steve Blake.<br /> <br /> The biggest man had the biggest burden and Yao's was like the Great Wall of China -- they say you can see it from outer space.<br /> <br /> Six previous seasons in the NBA and he had never won a Playoff series. Two prior painful experiences with Game 7s and he didn't want to go there again.<br /> <br /> "It will be different tonight," Yao had said about an hour before the opening tip, as he sat in front of his locker with a heat pad draped over his right shoulder. "It will be different."<br /><a href='http://www.slicendice.org'>Slice N Dice</a> | <a href='http://www.slicendice.org/NBA/Yaos-Great-Wall-of-burdens-crumbles-with-Game-6-win'>Yao's Great Wall of burdens crumbles with Game 6 win</a>