i say yes! i mentioned this in some thread but someone said it's not possible and compared how just because kobe can score 45 doesn't mean he can do it every night. well raising your points average by 10 is much harder than raising your rebound average by 3.
He can average that, yes. At the peak of his career and as he gets more and more consistent, Yao's ceiling will be somewhere around 25 and 12, which are good enough numbers that if he does it for 5-6 seasons in a row, he's going to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the all-time great centers in this league. I love how Yao is coming into his own.
Honestly, I don't think he will. His stamina has improved this year, but playing 82 games is bound to take its toll on a guy his size. He did have the benefit of 6 weeks rest. If he plays an entire season without a bum toe, I think he can average 12 for a few months, but his rebounding tenacity will drop off as the fatigue sets in. I say he peaks out at around 11 per game.
No. Never. Not a Chance. He's not a good leaper (or even a leaper ). He's not mobile. He's not agressive enough. Dont get your hope high or you are bound to be disappointed. I still think Yao hasnt fully utilized his scoring and passing ability but I have given up on his rebounding and blocking ability. One thing I have noted. Do you think Yao's more interested to box out his man rather than grab the rebound? Sometimes he doesnt even care where the ball is flying but watching his man. I have never seen any other player rebounding like that. I think I have broken 10 remote controls while watching him trying to rebound.
That's actually one thing I like about Yao. It's fundamental basketball. He does his part and boxes out his man, who's typically the best rebounder for the opposing team. At the very least, it gives the team a better chance to grab the ball.
Oh please.... not again. Yao will forever be the most overrated and under perform player....Oh yea.... he should be a 20/30 player because he is 7'6 who can shoot.....
Last month I would have said you're were crazy to even suggest it. Last week I would have firmly said now. A couple of days ago, I posted on this board that I thought 10-11 was an optimistic yet attainable goal. Now? I'm not so sure. Yao's lateral mobility and quickness off the ground is still well below-average. The difference is that he's not bobbling as many balls as he used to. He used to let 2-3 boards get away from him, but now it's more like 1 board a game. And Yao is finally, FINALLY tipping the ball effectively. He's finally tipping the ball and actually getting the rebound, instead of tipping it and having someone else pick it up. Deke must have rubbed off on him, because he's a master at tipping the ball to himself and getting the board. That's 3-4 boards that Yao used to miss, but he's pulling down lately. That's the difference between an elite rebounder and a decent rebounder. 12 rpg is still a long-shot because it's such a huge mark in the NBA today. Dwight Howard is leading the league and he's only getting 12.5 rpg. For Yao to get 12 boards a game would mean that he's one of the best rebounders in the league (and probably the best per minute rebounder since he'll likely never play as many minutes as these other top guys). It's hard to see that happening, but the lone fact that this is under debate shows the progress and improvements that Yao has made.
Only this season though, Yao has been a better free throw shooter throughout his career. 0.808 vs 0.775 -G'day-
I agree with you. We should not get our hopes too high or else will blame Yao again if he don't get to that. However, I do think he will avg more points.
No. These days in the NBA, only the top three rebounders average more than 12 boards a game, and I don't think that Yao is a top three rebounder in this league.
No, unless Yao starts to take rebounds from his teammates. I am pretty happy with his 10+ right now (or very soon)
forget about the team yao! go for individual stats! for all of yall... that is how you box out. find a man, push him out, no matter where you are on the court.
If the Rockets shoot like they have this year... hell.. Yao may be a 15 rebound a night player before too long.
