That's because you're framing the issue the wrong way. The central question should not be whether Dwight has done enough to prove he's "the best". The answer is no, but I could say that for every other center as well. That gets us no where. The question is, or should be, who would we rather have if we want to win games, and why.
I take it meaning you'd rather have Dwight Howard for Rockets right now? different teams have different needs
The good news is that Dwight will not be fronting Yao Ming (whew!) who he had the eye on the tv will not say that...jojojo.
I think it's a toss up. I really don't know who'd be better, and that's why I never said at any point this season that I think one is better than the other. But when Rocket fans make arguments like Dwight is considered the best only because he's more marketable or because of his race, I object to that. It's very obvious why most analysts in the media would consider Dwight Howard to be better. It's right there in the numbers that media analysts like to quote (leads the league in rebounds, blocks, his team is greatly improved and on pace to win 60 games, he's on a contender, etc.). There's no mystery about it, so why bring up these secondary factors like race and marketability and personality, when the more obvious ones are good enough to explain it?
I always chalked it up to the triple crown of center stats so to speak. Points, boards, blocks. That and the monster dunks that Howard tends to get that are blown out of proportion on ESPN.
Race aside, my problem with this is...I see Howard when they play the Rockets and he is never very dominant or impressive. He seems to be able to beat up on lesser teams which I think inflates his stats. He gets easy dunks and put backs, because he is built like a monster. He is pure athleticism. Every point, every rebound Yao gets is hard earned, while Howard just seems to out jump/out muscle. Even his defense is suspect in my opinion. If you are a DPOY candidate, you should be able to shut down your opposition at your position, which he simply can't do with Yao.
Points, boards, blocks. And we can add to that team success as a component that media analysts will look at. That's usually good enough to explain, in any year, who the media picked to be "the best" center. In the 80s, it was Kareem/Moses early on, and Hakeem for a short while. Then Ewing/Robinson sort of got into the mix as Olajuwon's numbers and his team success stagnated in the early 90s. Then Olajuwon started to peak in the 92/93 season and for a few years with his scoring going up and his team winning a ton, so he became the best again. Robinson was briefly considered at Olajuwon's level (and sometimes better) during the regular seasons in the championship years, but after the playoffs when Olajuwon won he took the title back. How the analysts choose "best center" is fairly simplistic and predictable. It's no surprise at all that Dwight Howard would be that guy this season. For Yao to get more recognition as the best center, it should be clear what he needs to do. Obviously he can't be lagging Dwight in points, rebounds, and blocks, and not get out of the first round. That's not going to cut it.
I would rather have him than Yao anyday....all you got to do is front Yao and he's done......I think he doesnt want to fronr Yao though cause it will make him look bad......But if he did, yao wouldnt even score 10 points
So... you think it's a toss up, and you want to fault fans who come to defend Yao, who says it's not a clear cut issue and Yao should get more credit? Most Media rarely act like it's even up to debate. Most of the time, Yao isn't even included in the discussion. By that, I mean casual media, not someone like Mark Jackson. I can stand MJ. He played with Yao, he knows what Yao can do, what Yao can't do. It's his opinion that DH is better, and I can respect that. However, most Sportscenter type doesn't even entertain the idea of the debate. Comparatively, for me, listening to MJ is so much better. That's why people entertain the possibility of race, marketability. (btw, I don't see anyone saying Dwight is considered the best only because he's more marketable.) I don't know if stats is good enough to prove it, or good enough to not give Yao enough credit. You can also argue a scenario that marketability makes those people emphasize more of stats less of the on court impact(Yao's case). Houston is playing for the 3rd in the west, with 20 mil cap space sidelined. That's as good an achievement as DH's this season. You have a strange mentality when it comes to Yao and fans.
When was the last time a player led the league in rebounds and blocks, scored 20 ppg, was the defensive player of the year, and he did not get to the All-NBA 1st Team? It's not like someone else is getting robbed. All the normal qualifications it would take to get on the 1st Team, he pretty much meets as well as anyone else. I see no reason to fixate on the him being a Sports Center favorite, when his performance is good enough to explain the recognition he gets.
Right on! Not race but culture thing. Yao = classical superstar in eastern culture DH = classical superstar in western culture
I mean what about double teaming? Hack-A-Shaqing? Triple team? Flopping? What makes fronting the ULTIMATE!? Because Shaq said so?
You just proved BlakeBroussard's point. How about Yao put 25/10 in 06-07 season? No major media were even close to claim Yao is the best center. DH did like 17/12. Rockets was clearly better than Magic.
