This probably won't stay on the first page long, but it's worth the effort .... Last year in 5 games against Shaq and the Lakers, versus 5 games this year versus the *second best center in the NBA* and the Mavs: Lakers .................................Mavs 37.2 minutes........................ 30 minutes 15 ppg.................................. 21.8 ppg .46 fg%................................. .736 fg% .81 ft%.................................. .76 ft% 7.4 rpg................................... 7.8 rpg 1.4 bpg.................................. 2.4 bpg 4 fouls pg............................... 4.8 fouls pg His offensive production has increased tremendously, especially given the limited minutes. Blocks and fouls are way up. If the series had ended after 5 games, Yao would be in the record books for best shooting percentage in a 5 game series (beating out Big Game James at .721%). James Donaldson of the, errrr, Mavs holds the 6 and 7 game records at .781 and .744 respectively, so it will be hard for Yao to catch him, but Donaldson was only shooting about 5 or 6 shots a game in those series (4 shots made per game minimum). Now you can return to your regularly scheduled b****fest.
Yao was going up against Karla and Shaq last year and against frigging Dampier in this series. Tremendous gap in talent level......still Yao is shooting at a ridiculous clip (74%) and blocks more shots while playing 7 less minutes. I really like what I saw from Yao in game 2 & 4.
You would naturally think that Yao would be picking up more fouls in 38 minuts against a Shaq, compared to playing 30 minutes playing a Dampier
Setting aside his ridiculous comments, Dampier is probably one of the best centers in the league. And that Yao has completely trashed him in limited minutes shows just how much progress he has made during the playoffs.
Dampier is one of the best centers in the league? LOL! He might make a case of being one of the best in the WNBA, but not the LEAGUE.
Dampier was one of the best centers in the league before he got his money. Now, is he even better than Cato?
Dampier ain't that good, there's a lot of guys to put ahead of Dampier for self-procliaming 2nd best center.
Well, one thing that I did notice is that Yao's play usually deteriorated significantly in April and May. However, he is playing some of his best balls (for his career) in this series. That really bodes well for us in the future.
Yao is playing enormously well. He could teach McGrady a thing or two about scoring close to the basket.
To be fair, TMac is usually worn out from trying to do to much. I like that guy more and more everyday. Unfortunately, he has to shoulder the scoring burdern, defend Dirk the 7 foot vagina, AND be the team's point guard during critical moments (else James will dribble down the clock and jack up a brick). Props to TMAc's heart and dedication to his new team and his new home.
Rockets would have taken out Mavs already if we have a decent PF, or a guy like Cato. Yao won't be in that much fould trouble with Cato around.
TMac can jump higher than Yao, though. And we think Yao has a dunking problem. TMac, less layups, more dunks.
As long as he's making most of those layups with contact, I'm fine with that. Last game was just an off night. Even the layups point blank that're usually automatic he was rolling off the rim.
Call me crazy, I really think Kelvin Cato would have make a huge difference in this series. It might have been a 4-0 sweep of the Mavs if we had Cato at PF.
