Sabonis was close to 50 by the time he was in the NBA. Way past his prime. If Sabonis prime years were definitely in the mid to late 80s. This man's athleticism, even after some of the injuries, was WOW. Most youngsters or casual fans would only say he was few notches above Rik Smits. But, as far as 7'3+ players go, I still believe he was the greatest ever. Maybe, Ralph Sampson. But Sabonis definitely in his physical peak was site to watch.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=mingya01&p2=jeffeal01 http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=mingya01&p2=boozeca01
Has any of us every really seen Sabonis at his peak? I mean, we hear all the stories about how great he was, but how many actually saw a game? I don't doubt he was great, but I was always under the impression that it was really hard for casual fans to get game tape of him because of our poor relationship with the USSR. Even on youtube, you get some really poor quality video of him in the 80's.
The problem Yao is not defended by Boozer. So he can't get him in foul trouble. I wish he was defended by Boozer, he will just destroy him, he don't even try on defense like Jefferson. But I think with team that put a quick player with range on Yao, RA need to play some zone from time to time just to shake the other team offensive approach and make them adjust, or as soon as his defender cough the ball over the FT Line someone need to double and force the offensive player to pass the ball and then rotate quickly to his man, if they practice this defense a lot they can get good at it.
