Inside the Phoenix Suns' locker room.
O'Neal was proudly showing off to Oakley, reenacting how he had ravaged Yao Ming in the paint during the first half.
Oakley wasn't having any of it. He struck a boxing pose and said, "Shaq, if I were Yao, I would've punched you."
"He can't beat me in a fight," O'Neal immediately retorted.
Nearby, a grinning Kevin Willis reminded him, "Shaq, did you forget? The guy blocked your shot."
O'Neal's expression soured slightly as he hastily explained, "That was a fluke! A fluke, you understand?"
The group erupted in laughter. Nelson, who was standing off to the side chatting with Chen Yu, remarked with feeling, "That Yao kid is actually very talented. He's really good."
The media and fans were just making a fuss, but in the eyes of professionals like Nelson, Yao Ming's performance was already excellent.
He was a rookie, after all. There's always an adjustment period.
