How do you think Yao Ming would have fared in today's game?

Not fronted: 30 and 10, superstar numbers

Fronted: 10 and 5, invisible

 

Dude he played 3 years ago.

 

Jordan cant hit freethrows.

 

He'd suck and reminisce on the good days of when he played in the early 80's.

 

He'd be a "pay cut" kinda guy. He sure as hell wouldn't sign with the Mavs for 15 mil.

 

If Yao was still playing right now, he would be the dominate center in the NBA.

 

if not injury prone, i can see him with double double in 20-25 minutes

 

This post isn't directed at you, but directed at those who detract from Yao as a player because he was neutralized by fronting defenses. I agree that Yao would have fared better against fronting if he was more agile and athletic, but overall I don't think the issue is as damning as some of us fans take it. The purpose of the fronting defense is to neutralize an effective post player and it works no matter the player, some better than others. As Rockets fans, we should all know that even the GOAT Hakeem struggled against Seattles fronting defense. That team was our LA clippers of current day. We couldn't beat them til we got Barkley. Why? Because he made them pay when the Sonics fronted Hakeem.

To beat a fronting defense you need two main things. One is great entry passing which the Rockets never had outside of Tmac and battier. Yao also never made it easier with his smaller catching radius due to his injuries. Second is the surrounding cast. You need players that can take advantage of a defense that is solely committed to stopping the post player by crashing the offensive boards or slashing to the basket on the weak side. Yao also never had that type of supporting cast. We all know how poor the depth was until 2008. That was Yao's best year IMO. Remember when Portland starting fronting Yao? Players like Brooks and Scola feasted. Bottom line, Yao was less effective when fronted but even the true greats were also. Big factors are entry passing and an effective surrounding cast, so it's not all Yao's fault. Indeed it was an issue but not as tremendous as some of us make it to be. /endrant

 

It's hard to say. The game has evolved so much since Yao last played. Doubt he would have been able to get meaningful minutes.

 

This.

Everyone Yao played against is either dead or retired. You can't compare eras.

 

He would have fared the same as he did when he was playing.

 

He should still be the best center in the NBA, there still are not any centers with his offensive skill set.

 

Hard to say.

Completely different era.

The game isn't even the same anymore.

 

He would make a terrible stretch 4.

 

He would be the best stretch four ever.

 

I think it was his combination of size and offensive prowess that made Yao the best Center. He was not a particularly great defender or rebounder but he always possessed the ability to impact the game. Teams would be forced to adjust to HIM. That's what made him unique and that's why I think he'd be just as effective today.

 

Yao Ming would be scoring 26.5 pts and 9.9 rebounds!!!! He'd still be an all-star starter, and the Rockets would not have Howard on the team.

I think by now the Rockets would have been at least to the Finals twice in the last 3 years. Yao Ming was making great strides to improve tremendously when he got injured.

He was on the verge of going above a star in the all-star level!!! I'm talking elite HOF level.

But what could have been!!!!

 

back in 1947 when yao had his first shoe deal with converse, he was tearing it up, inside/outside. then they had to change the rules, allowing players to front yao and deny him the ball. he was that good. you can catch silent film footage. youtube might have some technicolor footage.

 

18 year old yao ming

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wg8I8qCHmg

Just thought I would share since I watched alot of Yao Ming interviews but first time seeing this. Crazy how in the interview he says his favorite player is Hakeem Olajuwon.