I'm not sure if anyone else has posted a thread in Yao's defense, but I figured, if so, another wouldn't hurt. There sure are a lot of threads that curse Yao or ask for him to be traded, but the bottom line is that we are taking him for granted. He is averaging 19.9 points/game (1st in the league amongst centers) and 8.9 rebounds/game (5th amongst centers, 3 of the four ahead of him are defensive centers who don't score over 10 points/game). He may be struggling defensively, but I think we all know that is a combination of coaching, the loss of T-mac for most of the season, and I guess a little blame could be put on him also for not rotating quickly enough. He has improved drastically over the past 4 years, and now that he is averaging 33 minutes/game, once his field goal % comes around with the addition of Tracy to take the offensive load off of his back, it isn't hard to believe that he will be averaging 22 points/game with 10 boards/game. Add the 2 blocks/game and the number of shots he doesn't block (but changes) and he is a force to be reckoned with. He may not be the dominant force that we want, but he is among the best centers in the league, so let's not forget that. Also, let's do a quick comparison with a center a lot of us respect. Hakeem Olajuwon is arguably the best center of all time, and definitely the best Rockets center of all-time. I'd say Yao compares pretty favorably in his fourth season with the Dream. YEAR TEAM G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG Olajuwon 87-88 HOU 79 79 35.8 .514 .000 .695 3.80 8.30 12.10 2.1 2.05 2.71 3.08 4.10 22.8 Yao 05-06 HOU 16 16 33.6 .494 .000 .820 2.8 6.1 8.9 1.3 .81 1.50 2.56 4.10 19.9 I realize the Dream's stats are better, but when you realize what kind of player he was, the fact that Yao is anywhere near the same level as Hakeem in his fourth year is a great sign. Blocks seem to be the biggest difference for the two, but the Dream is the greatest shot blocker of all-time, so it's tough to live up to that. If we just realize that Yao is a special player that doesn't come around that often, then maybe we will be able to appreciate him a little more. I hope this turns some heads, but if not, at least it puts some doubt in your mind of where Yao stands currently in the NBA.
Actually, stat-wise, the biggest difference is not blocked shots, but rebounds and steals. Yao will never be comparable to Hakeem in steals, rebounds and blocks. Hopefully, his rebounding will improve to double digit. But you are right, Yao is not too far behind. I think Yao can be as proficient as Hakeem in terms of scoring even now.
Find a guy that can actually rebound play with Yao, we'll have much better record. We all hope Swift could be that guy, and we are all wrong.
I'd agree that Yao takes much more heat than he deserves, and a lot of fans are taking him for granted. You also have to factor in the changes in rules when you compare Yao and Dream's stats. One thing that I've noticed about Yao compared to a lot of our other players is his desire to win. Although he plays soft at times, I can't say I'm dissapointed with Yao's attitude. It really bothers me to see us blow leads, let games slip away, etc in the fourth quarter and then see guys like DA and even Tmac smiling and seeming like it's not a big deal. Even if we're down big in garbage time, Yao is still out there playing like he's trying to earn minutes. I respect him for that, and wish more players would have this type of attitude.
Dream was always near the top in the steals. If you took a look at the stats, you always saw Dream as the lone center in the top ten in company with great guards like MJ, Stockton, Clyde.. So this was kind of specialty of his.
Any one who says we should trade Yao is foolish. Yao is a dominant force when our other role players do their part. Without the rest of the team performing at a high level, Yao is double and triple teamed. Even Dream couldn't beat a triple team.
Half of those people that wanted Yao traded are also YOF that wants or think Yao could flourish playing for another team.
Hakeem and Yao aren't "close" unfortunately. That's a comparison of a one-of-a-kind franchise center to a skilled complimentary big man. I'm someone who loves Yao so I hate to say it, but that's just the truth ... until Yao proves otherwise. The stint without McGrady was complete and utter failure for Yao if he wanted to be described as a franchise player, a superstar, a leader. The team went 0-8, Yao shot 40%, case closed.
some people are gonna be pissed that you put Yao and Dream in the same sentence, perhaps even the same paragraph.
Put SHaq in Yao's place and we lose 7 or maybe 8. Put an in his prime Hakeem in Yao's place, with today's rules allowing the zone, etc., and we still lost 6-8 games. We need quickness on the perimeter. Without it, Duncan, KG, Kareem, Bill Russell, and Wilt wouldn't win with these guys in today's league.
Good facts but unfortunately they are not the only facts. He was swarmed on defense and his teammates were unable to hit the open shots manufactured due to that defense. So no I'm sorry, it is not case closed.
did hakeem ever have as bad of a team around him as Yao had without McGrady? If Horry, and the Jet, and Cassell, and Elie, etc. couldn't hit an outside shot to save their lives, would the Dream have been able to handle all of the defensive pressure put on him. Probably better than Yao, but it would have hurt his numbers, too. I just think that we haven't seen the best of Yao, yet. He still has so much upside, and we can't forget that he is only 24 or 25 years old.
Your Missing the Intangibles Too Hakeem by Year 3 was FAR MORE ABLE to dominate games than Yao right now. In fact, I'd even go so far as Hakeem was a dominant force by year two. Physcially Hakeem was also leaps and bounds (no pun intended) better than Yao. Soccer player by training, Hakeem ran the court like a forward but with center height. He was, for his time, a sort of out-of-position mismatch of a player a la Tim Duncan today. That would be my take. Other Intangibles Mental toughness - adv: Hakeem Lateral movement - adv: Hakeem Foot speed - adv: Hakeem Rebounding - adv: Hakeem Stamina - adv: Hakeem Height - adv: Yao Playing BIG - adv: Hakeem Sorry, but IMHO, Yao beyond the stats is nothing compared to Hakeem. The most we can expect from Yao, as far as I can see is another coming of Rik Smits in terms of upside potential. theSAGE
VIRGIN POST... Virgin POST, of course, should be devoted to Yao's defense! All the the controversy would be pale eventually. Let's just let Time prove anything~~~~~ Yao got wrapped by equal or less than 3 (that should be the reasonable interval) in the paint, but he got backed by millions in China! Rocket ROCKS ~~~~~(voice a bit subdued by the past month)!
Here are some comparison between Bob Sura and Yao. Mental toughness - adv: Sura Lateral movement - adv: Sura Foot speed - adv: Sura Stamina - adv: Sura Height - adv: Yao Dribble - adv: Sura Premiter Defense: Sura Agressiveness: Sura Passing : Sura Result: Sura is "dream"-like
Yao is no Hakeem, we all know that. But Rik Smits? Have you tried to compare Yao and Smits using your own "intangible" tools?
Well, Tmac went through 19 straight losses in his 7th year and the door is still open. Yao went 0-8 and the door is closed. When Tmac was out, Luther head was the 2nd best player on Rockets, doesn't that say something about the supporting cast? It's like Yao and 4 college players play against all those winning teams in NBA. and he's not allowed to lose. How bad is Rockets role players this year? Take a look at 82games.com, Rockets +2.1 per 48minutes when Yao on the court, -18.8 per 48 minutes when Yao is off the court. -18.9 per 48 minutes sounds like average a blown out to me, yet Yao takes all the blame. Yao can do no right. Had Yao missed those games instead of Tmac, people would still say it's Yao's fault because he's too injury prone.
well, it's true that other teams have to double YAO. But the fact is: double YAO is very effective since YAO is good passer but he is too slow and can not create good open shot for his teammates. YAO is just too tall! If he was 7-3 or 7-4. Man!
