DavidS... so the point is that Yao needs to put number stats/performance/whatever to be great. Isn't that true for every player? That's why I was wondering what Brown's point was. I actually do think that Yao has to set up this season, however, Brown either: 1) Clearly has an agenda (more than just selling papers) OR 2) Is an idiot I mean, there are plenty of players that did well in their 2nd years but he brought up Miller, Magloire and Dampier, all of whom didn't put up a single season among them worth mentioning until last year (in Magloire's case, isn't 13/10 pretty much expected out of a role player). So by comparing career years of other players (all of which still don't compare to Yao's 2nd year), Brown tried to relegate Yao to their level. Hey, while we're at it then, why don't we compare Wilt's 50/25 year? Boy, by that stat line Yao's absolutely pathetic. But then again, so would everybody else.
MFW2310, don't take the article too seriously. Remember, "great" is a subjective word. Yao could average 20/10 for his career, never reaching the scoring/rebounding averages of Hakeem or Shaq. But could be part of a "multi-championship" team. I think that would be a better measure of "greatness." When people (writers) start labeling players with "stats only" measurement. It's purely for amusement; makes for good sports bar chatter (and BBS discussion). I say, let them keep the "statistical prize." I think Yao would rather have a few championships. Don't ya think? Just ask Karl Malone, a statistically "great player." When it's all said and done. No player did it by himself. Even Wilt needed a great team to carry him over the hump. And Yao can get his the same way: TEAM!
The author's central point might be right, but his analysis is not "dead on". If I tell you that an apple is a fruit because you could get it in a grocery store, would you buy that argument. Besides a few persons like Walton, there actually aren't that many people saying Yao is as good or better than Shaq and alikes early in their careers. Yao is getting so much "attention" because he is unique. A 7'6" giant from China, who can do math, of course not literally, and play ball at the same times. It was an eye opener. His wit and humility charms many of us here. Compared to many of our egocentric players in NBA, it's refreshing to see someone different but in a positive way. Yao doesn't need to dominant like Shaq to merit adoration from his millions of fans in China. And I doubt most fans over there truely believe Yao is the most dominant player NOW, or even better than Shaq. You don't need to like rock 'n roll to justify Beatles' success. As some posters stated here, the use of statistics could be quite misleading at times. It's always difficult to compare players from different era because the rules were different. A certain player will thrive in a particular system, but not the others. Would Brad Miller do better in a Rudy T's system than a perimeter and passing-oriented games like the Kings, I certainly don't think so. Would Wilt eat Shaq alive because statistically Wilt did better, I don't think so. Does Yao has the potential to be compared with the other all-time greats, I think the verdict is still out. We could only wait and see. The author in the above piece has lost much of his credibility and unbiasedness when he started off comparing Yao's numbers to others in a meaningless "preseason" game. By the way, just in case the author doesn't know, the all star status are very much a popularity contest. Hey, even SF was voted as the starting point guard for the West, and I sure didn't think he deserved it "STATISTICALLY".
Russ would still best him by one in terms of titles. But if Yao could do it, then you definitely have to stick him on the Mt Rushmore of NBA centers regardless of whatever greatness T-mac brought to the table.
One of the greatest teams, that's for sure. Put it this way... I'd rather have Yao get 20/10, and TEN RINGS! Than, Yao get 30/22, and TWO RINGS! (the Wilt vs Russell comparison). Note: The TEN RINGS requires a bad-ass TEAM! Here's my dream team... PG - Kirk Hinrich SG - Tracy McGrady SF - Andrei Kirilenko PF - Zach Randolph C - Yao Ming ...I repeat...a ***dream***, team.
I'd probably go with Bibby at the point and KG at the pf. Bibby T-Mac AK-47 KG Yao Now there's a lineup that you can fend off the martians with.
Arroyo and Bibby are my 2nd and 3rd favorite PGs. Kirk will be YOUR favorite at the end of this season! LOL! I didn't pick KG, because I wanted to mix-it up with some unique 2nd tier power fowards. I was going to pick Carlos Boozer. But I like Zach a little better. Plus, I didn't necessarily think that we need a roster of 5 HOFers (too easy to do). Some players need the ball and wouldn't want to share as easily. KG is a "main-man" MVP. Zach would be more apt to give up the ball a little more. This is the same reason I didn't pick Duncan. Too easy. Anyways, we're just dreaming....
Are we watching the same games. Zach has always struck me as a classic ball hog. Not saying that's a bad thing especially when your team needs you to score, but I don't think I've seen him pass up a shot when he was within visual range of the basket. Now KG on the other hand is notorious for being too unselfish. And the way his game is set up (max-effort, attacking the glass, playing the high post) it would seem to be perfect for playing with 4 all star teammates. If I was to go with a tier two pf instead, I'd probably pick Brad Miller. Maybe it didn't come across when I got into one of those Miller vs Yao arguments, but I really do like Miller's game. He can pass, shoot, and rebound. Not saying that I'd start my team with BM but on this squad, he would be very effective. Rasheed would be my second choice, but I think it's still up in the air whether he can control himself. Does anyone realize that last year, when he finally controlled himself enough to help win a championship, that he was in a contract year. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe no.
Yao is my favorite player in the league but he's not a great player yet. He could become one but it does not seem as certain as other players entering their 3rd years such as Hakeem, D. Robinson, Shaq. OT: what's with everyone's love for kirk hinrich? i don't think he'll be as good as steve nash is. nash is quicker, takes it to the hopp better, defens better, shoots better and passes better too.
Defense better? Not sure about that. Passing. Yes, Nash is better now at 8.8. But Kirk is edging in on 7.0 in his 1st year (it took Nash a few years to get that amount). Just call it a hunch. Kirk will be better than Nash (9 year vet). Especially defensively.
guys, have we even taken AGE into consideration? wasn't yao a couple of years younger than all these "greats?"
Watched some old tapes of the Lakers vs the SPurs. One thing that got my attention was how Duncan played defense and offense during regular season games. He never chase the opponent around. He did not guard Shaq too often. He does not ban witht eh opponet on the offensive end too much. His deadly mid-range bank-shots helped a lot. The result of all these is that Duncan had a fresh body to play at another level in the playoffs. Now let's see how Yao has been playing D and O. He chases his opponet almost every where. As soon as the guy he guards gets beack Yao is usually on him, tight. On the offensive end, he always spends a lot of anergy to push and anti-push in the paint. Many times after 20 seconds hard push down low without getting a touch of the ball he needs to rush back to defensive end. I hope Yao will learn from Duncan to do the same to conserve his energy and save the wear and tear on his body. Otherwise he will not be able to raise his game to an adequate level in the playoffs.
