"Ralph wasn't soft, he was just not a power player, and they were trying to make him into one." Hakeem Olajuwon on Ralph Sampson in Living the Dream. I know that Sampson and Yao are not the same, but it is something to think about. Dream also comments on Ralphs height put his knees higher and that banging down low caused undue stress on those "very fragile and tender joints".
Shouldn't this thread be locked now? The same silly questions have been asked by newcomers numerous times and I cannot believe how many thread have been devoted to this subject.
I can understand the questions. Do you trade the games most dominating player for a player who may or may not take his place. If Shaq were 7 - 10 years younger I would do it. This is becase we already know what we get in Shaq. We dont know what Yao will become or what his ceiling is.. if he becomes what we have all expected most of us think he will have a Tim Duncan type career. Points/Rebs/ Blocks but being very efficient and effective than that is awesome. Would you take Shaq or Duncan in their prime? most would take Shaq. Yao is young/ Shaq is older and on the decline. Does he have a few more good years left? Of course. Does he have enough years left to be a good enough trade for Yao? no way. With Shaq on the team I dont doubt we would be contenders next year.. but what about the year after that.. another killer about Shaq is his monster contract. J
dude, he's 7'freaking6". if he gives you 20 and 10 for a career, he's also giving you a serious deterrant for guards to penetrate the lane. the guy is still on the way up. i don't think we've seen the best Yao has to offer yet. i'm not sure we've even scratched the surface.
I think Yao and Shaq will be equal starting next season. We'll see Yao dominating a lot more because the good C's went to bad teams. Divac went to LA, who aren't a contender. Shaq went to the East. If Dampier goes East, I think Yao will compete with Shaq for the tag of best C in the league. I'm expecting 20/10/2 from Yao. Add his height, his ability to pass out of double teams, and his ability to change shots, and those numbers become even more impressive.
I expect similar numbers, but what the heck does Dampier playing in the East or West have to do with Yao competing with Shaq for the tag of best C in the league?!?!!
do we need a center? how many center in this league today not named Yao or Shaq can give you that kind of #s? you can't mesure the impact a dominating center gives in this game. Shaq's #s today aren't light years ahead of Brand's but his impact to a team vs. Brand's is more than you can imaging. btw, you expect Randolph to avg. more than 2 blocks a game or change shots like Yao can or draw double-triple teams everytime he touchs the ball, or overlook his defenders to pass out to his open teamates like Yao does all the time? you think Big Ben, J. O'Neal, K.G., Rasheed, ... have a better chance to content Brand/Randolph or Yao Ming? so now you want a Yao+Howard front court or a Randolph+Howard front court?
If Mean Ming is unwilling to step it up , then I say yes. That is ofcourse that Shaq can play another ten years.
