At this early stage, Yao and Lebron are the only two players who should be in the MVP discussion. I've watched every Yao-Shaq matchup (all the home ones live), and tonight I noticed a very significant difference. Shaq decided that tonight was going to be one of the two or three games this season where he tried, and scored some early baskets by physically overpowering Yao. Yao's body language and demeanor was, 'No problem, I'll just pay him back twice at the other end.' His offense is confident, and his passes are effortless. He now sees the other team's defense as his patient to calmly dissect, instead of a difficult problem to solve. His demeanor on the offensive end of the floor communicates to every teammate that he is the leader and the first option, and everyone follows suit. I certainly don't mean to detract from T-Mac, who I think is playing an extremely underrated game this season, but right now the Rockets are winning by building their game around an MVP-caliber center.
I think he definetly deserves some consideration, but I dont think it will happen. After they way he played last year and him only being but on thr AllNBA third team makes me think that. Most of the voters just dont realize how good Yao is. No matter how much he abuses Shaq or and other center thrown at him, he still gets the shaft. I dont unsderstand, especially after the game tonight how people still think Shaq is beter than Yao.
7 games in he is the mvp? Is he even the player of the week yet? I agree if he keeps up numbers like this he should be considered but I don't think his scoring and rebound will continue to be this high. He is being forced to score cause no Bonzi, no TMAC, and when the shots don;t fall he has to take it in. We are a better team with more options
man if the rockets just get to the WCF, yao will have an MVP consideration. to come from a crappy record last year and possibly go deep in the playoffs, much less in the west? hell yeah, him being healthy and dominating is a result of our success, thats what an mvp is all about! honest to god tho, i thought yao was gonna have a good season, with tracy having a break out season and gettin the mvp nods, but ill take the big fella's success any day too!
Come on, it's only 7 games. Let's talk about it by all-star break. On the other hand, Yao will be seriously considered if he can keep this pace, and IF the Rockets end up be #1 or #2 in the conference.
I guess I have to ask the question - is Yao going too hard and peaking too early? Does anyone expect him to maintain this level of production, for him not just to have enough left for the postseason, but to step up and elevate even higher? I guess in that way Deke is a key player for the Rox, as basically he is the only other genuine big man we have. If either one goes down I don't even want to imagine JHo at C...
This is way too early, if he can keep it up half way through, and Rox keep winning, then he really has a chance. we are only 5-2, don't predict too much.
