(My Sportsbook) - Yao Ming was not expected to take off in his first few NBA games for the Houston Rockets, but his slow progress may soon test the patience of Houston fans hoping to see the team back in the playoffs.

The top pick in the 2002 draft was virtually non-existent in his first regular-season appearance for the Rockets, collecting no points and two rebounds in 11 minutes. Yao took just one shot from the field in the Rockets' 91-82 loss to Indiana and committed three personal fouls.

"I learned that I still have a lot to learn, and I'm just a rookie," Yao said through an interpreter following the Indiana game. "It's a very long road and it's difficult."

"The guy's been here 10 days," coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "He's just trying to get acquainted with our offense, our defense. We're happy with him. It's going to take some time [for Yao to] get acclimated."

On Friday at Denver, the Rockets pulled out their first win of the season against the Nuggets, but Yao struggled once again. He scored just two points on 1-of-5 shooting in 12 minutes of action, while pulling down seven boards.

"He's tired. But he's got heart," Tomjanovich said following the win. "I can't wait until he gets his legs under him. Once we get a rhythm with him, he's going to help us a lot."

The Rockets selected the 7-foot-5 center from China in June in hopes of filling a weakness at the center position. Kelvin Cato has done well in the starting role so far this season, averaging 8.5 points and 12.5 rebounds in the first two games, but his lack of offense punch makes him a better fit for the bench.

The Houston faithful gets their first look at Yao Saturday when the Rockets play their home-opener against the Toronto Raptors.

While Yao is held up in the learning process, Houston's dynamite backcourt tandem of Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley is keeping the team a contender. Francis is healthy and once again breaking the ankles of opposing guards, while Mobley continues to hold the title of the most underrated player in the league.

In the opener Wednesday, Francis poured in a career-high 39 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Houston. The following game, Francis scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 13 rebounds and five assists.

The Maryland product missed 25 games last season because of shoulder problems and migraine headaches and the team suffered as a result, finishing with a 28-54 mark. The Rockets realized Francis' impact and signed the guard to a six-year contract extension in the offseason.

Mobley scored 22 points Wednesday and a game-high 29 points on Friday, including hitting some big buckets late. Mobley's three-pointer with four minutes left gave the Rockets a 72-65 lead over Denver. He then sealed the victory with a steal and a dunk, putting Houston up 79-71 with only 1:11 to play.

Francis and Mobley can only hope that the rest of the league keeps focusing on Yao.