By InsideHoops.com

Larry Smith, a former NBA player, is an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets. But because head coach Rudy Tomjanovich is currently out with a health problem, Smith has stepped up to temporarily take his place. InsideHoops met with him before a recent New Jersey Nets game.

How different is it acting as a head coach instead of an assistant?

Larry Smith: It's a little different. You become a suggestion-maker into a decision-maker, so it's a lot different. But I welcome it. I feel very confident about the situation, and I'm just looking forward to the challenge.

Talk about the Nets (the team Houston is playing tonight).

Larry Smith: Well, this is a very talented team. They really get out on the break. Transition is huge for this team. Once they get out in the running game, it's awful tough to stop them...

How do you like Yao Ming's play so far; talk about his development.

Larry Smith: He's improved tremendously from day one. He's gotten better in every area. Hopefully he can come out and be more aggressive tonight, and play better. I think you can't change the fact that he's a youngster, a baby persay, a new situation, new culture, and I think he just came in and worked wonders so far.

Does Yao have any specific skills that you're especially happy about?

Larry Smith: Absolutely. His passing ability. He's a very skilled 7-6 guy, and you have a rarity, a guy that can really pass the ball, he can face 'em and make face-up jumpers, and is a guy that has good moves for a person of his height. So, I think he brings a lot to the game.

And what's the one thing you look forward to him improving more than anything else?

Larry Smith: I think his back to the basket game, and just overall toughness. He's just a nice guy (laughs). If he gets better in those areas, he's going to be a tremendous player in years to come.

How necessary is the translator at this point?

Larry Smith: Yao can understand English, but sometimes during a timeout we'll be talking fast, and saying things real real fast, so we definitely need someone there to interpret it for him.

So has Yao been learning lots of English as the season has gone on?

Larry Smith: Oh yes. He's communicating with the guys great. I think it's just a matter of, in the course of a game, as we get to talking faster... Colin is there to interpret what we're saying.


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