I was really surprised when I was checking out some basketball magazine at a local store and a couple of them ranked Brad Miller higher than Yao, and it has become known through out last season as Miller was questionable for being the better center right behind Shaq. Here's the stats(career): MPG FG%, FT%, RPG, APG, BPG, PPG brad- 27, 0.492, 0.783, 7.5, 2.2, 0.7, 11.2 yao- 30.9, 0.511, 0.81, 8.6, 1.6, 1.85, 15.5 Keep in mind that the stats are accumulated to where Miller is at his peak(6 yr. in the NBA) while Yao's had just ended his second year. From the statistic views, Yao has the advantage in every catergory except assist, assuming Brad is a better passer at this time. But we're tallking about who is the better center here not passer, unless I'm not seeing what those magazine or other people that favors Miller more, I just can't see how he is rated or ranked higher than Yao. Can someone tell me what Miller has that Yao doesn't? True that its just their opinions, but it just seems kinda disturbing to me. I then ask myself maybe they ranked them in how valuble those centers are to their teams. Ok, so Miller seem to be a good fit for sacramento and has improved them, but they also have the deepest bench, best shooters and has Divac who is a pretty good veteran center in his own rights. They would still make it to the playoff and go deep without Miller. I think Yao was more important to his team since he joined, b/c he was able to dominate and carry us from time to time despite his lack of touches and we finally made it to the post season again. Most importantly though, Yao is the better pure center overall b/c of his size alone(open thing up for hs teammates),better blocking and rebounding abilities and better inside post moves. Ask yourself this, who is more successfull in going head to head with Shaq who is the best center in the NBA? I'm sorry but Miller rarely post up Shaq and rather settles for outside jump shots and he sometimes doesn't even play center. So I think I rest my case here, unless someone else say otherwise...
I don't even know why I'm responding to this since I've argued the Miller vs Yao point on another board. But Yao can do everything that Miller can do, hand off to shooters in the high post, nail an open 10 footer, grab a few boards (last year Miller had a slightly higher rebounding rate, but nothing huge), block some shots (Yao has a decided advantage here). But Yao can do something that Miller can't. Yao can score from the low block and draw double teams. That is a huge difference. This means that you can build around Yao. You can't build around Brad Miller. He is a good piece but not a franchise player.
Miller can knock down the 3s, but he isn't a low post scorer, not much back to basket game. It is kinda ridiculous to rate Miller over Yao, even he is a very good player.
The only other areas that Brad Miller may have Yao beat... stamina and defensive versatility. I think that Miller could probably play more minutes (if needed) than Yao could, and could probably be quicker, more active, etc. in the later minutes than Yao. Brad could also guard centers and power forwards with greater success than Yao. Yes, Yao can probably defend a powerful low-post center better than Brad, but I'd really hate to see Yao trying to defend some of the quicker big-forwards that come in when coaches trot out their small lineups (Garnett, Nowitski, Amare, etc.... and no, I'm not saying Miller could ever shut any of those guys down, but it wouldn't be as ugly as watching Yao try to guard them). With that said, I'd still pick Yao every time.
This is what I was thinking. I would assume the, so-called, fantasy experts would rank Miller higher just because they probably feel Yao will not get better numbers due to Tmac being on the team. Plus, with Divac gone, Miller's numbers could possibly be a little better. But, saying all that, anyone than even knows little about basketball would easily say Yao is better.
Without looking, I would guess that Miller's fantasy value last year, based on stats, is pretty close to, or better than Yao's.
i can't think of anybody on this earth with the exception of Miller himself who would select Miller over Yao.....
Yeah he's ranked higher because of the assists. You'd think that Yao's adavantage in blocks would make up for that, but Miller just has a really good all around game. Too bad being a dominant fantasy player doesn't automatically translate into being a dominant NBA player.
Miller is more effective now but it remains to be seen how he will fare playing center full time. Yao has great potential so but so does Miller . He's been getting better every year.
Miller had his best numbers playing with divac, couple of triple doubles here and there and couple of close ones. But it remains to be seen how he will play at center full time including playing with Webber who is a ballhog IMO.
I think I would take Miller now as he is arguably more effective but we'll see in the future. Unless you want to talk about marketing and other stuff which makes it a non contest in Ming's favour.
I have the magazine...It's Pro Basketball #1 Fantasy Magazine Miller wasn't ranked this high in years past. He's turned into a very good center. Statistically he's very good. Take a look at last years stats... .510 FG% .778 FT% 10.30 RPG <--- 7'0" and out-rebounds Yao! (quick leaper/fast lateral movement) 4.3 APG <--- Vlade-like 1.19 BPG <--- Not bad! 2.00 TO 14.1 PPG So, he's not a scrub. Statistically, he does a lot of good things. Is he "better" than Yao's potential as a franchise player? Nah. But that's not he point of the magazine ranking. By the way, Yao was ranked 3rd, behind Shaq and Miller in this fantasy magazine ranking.
I'm not particular big with stats. Especially these rebound stats. Yao could easily average 12-13 rebounds per game, only if he'd stop giving them away to his teamates. Yao's thinking teamwork, where as his peers are thinking STATS, STATS and STATS.
Neither am I....you have to look at the on court play/impact too...(things that don't show up on the stat sheet). Yes, I agree. But Yao has to do it. Not talk about it. He could average above 10rpg, as long as he keeps improving (yes, he is! ). As far as the Fantasy Magazine. Stats are all that matter. And I don't think that Brad Miller only cares about "stats, stats, stats." He just plays his heart out (smart savvy player). Even to the point that Shaq wanted to punch out his lights. I wonder if we should try and sign him one day! Nice backup for Yao!
Seems to me that the biggest difference is that if you don't double Yao and add creative defenses --- he will go off on you. This is huge. Brad is not nearly that type of concern. Now teams will have to choose their poison between Tmac and Yao. Hopefully it works.
