there was no question. im not trying to change anything. yao isnt great. shaq is great and 'injury' prone. yao is just skilled and injury prone.
Hakeem and Shaq had their greatest years during their late 20s to early 30s. Yao is now entering his late 20s. Do we trade him now? Should the Lakers have traded Shaq after his 7th year? That's the debate.
That would be correct. Good thread OP. Though, that one lockout season doesn't count though. I hope Yao hasn't reached his prime or peak yet, but these injuries are more scary than Shaq's. Anyways, Yao is the best center in the league OP you agreed? and Most people for sure know he's the best player on this team when healthy as well, easily. Not sure about him in 2010, but I hope he dosen't take a max contract so he opens up more cap space. I can see Yao doing that, since he's extremely unselfish unlike this other heartless 1st round virgin.
Who said that? My point was Shaq's numbers are misleading because he was lazy and unmotivated. As for Yao, I think the Rockets need to invest in a good center like Marcus Camby and limit his minutes to about 20 per game.
Yao's first 2 inuries are also nothing to worry about. Infection of the bone, and freak accident by Tim Thomas. Those are bad luck. last year's and this year's bone fracture are more alarming.
This thread has been filled with Yao haters like Legend Killer and ubigred or whatever he's a Magic fan probably that came because of T-Mac. I post on other forums and this happens too. People end up comparing Shaq to Yao's game instead of their injuries because people never read the whole post, just the thread title.
Some rockets fans give Yao a damn break OK? Did Yao screwed you like Knee-mac did? Did Yao quit? Did Yao has heart? Did Yao play hard? Yao is not shaq, but he gave everything he had..and you guys?? you called you are a hardcore rockets fan? Get the hell out of here.
I see.. I forgot Shaq started at 20.. But isn't all of this like a long shot? Comparing one players career to another players career? It usually never ends the same.. Hakeem and Shaq are basically legends at the center position (top 5 all time IMO), while Yao may not.
Forget about Shaq. The person to compare Yao with is Zydrunas Ilgauskas, because they both suffered the same types of foot injuries. Z's first 8 years as a pro looked like this: League - Season - GP Lithuania - 94/95 - 36 Applied for NBA draft, then withdrew because of foot injury) Missed season - 95/96 - 0 (broken bone in his RIGHT foot) Missed season - 96/97 - 0 (re-broke the same bone in his right foot) NBA - 97/98 - 82 NBA - 98/99 - 5 (after 5 games, broke a bone in his LEFT foot) NBA - 99/00 - 0 (still rehabbing broken left foot) NBA - 00/01 - 24 (after 24 games, broke the same bone in his left foot AGAIN) NBA - 01/02 - 62 (missed first 17 games rehabbing from left foot surgery) Z. averaged 26 games per season over his first 8 years ____________________________________________________ His next 7 years as a pro looked like this: NBA - 02/03 - 81 NBA - 03/04 - 81 NBA - 04/05 - 78 NBA - 05/06 - 78 NBA - 06/07 - 78 NBA - 07/08 - 73 NBA - 08/09 - 65 That's an average of 76 games per season. ____________________________________________________ Not only has Z resumed his career, but he's resumed it at the same level as before (better, actually). I have no idea why his foot problems cleared up so dramatically -- weight change? New workout routine? Regardless, It would be worth someone on the Rockets' training staff looking into, though.
Thanks for inducting me to the Yao of fame. Feels honored since I've been a Rocket fans since the 90s, unlike some of the Tracy only fans like you. 1. No 2. No 3. Yes 4. Yes Shaq was unmotivated in the regular season, but he was going to dominant regardless. He never threw his team under the bus even if he didn't want to play. So don't compare T-Mac to Shaq either.
Shaq took his team to the finals in his second season and played 66 playoff games. Shaq's injuries weren't all foot problems.
Fail... You dominate Yao threads... I actually have not posted in many Tracy McGrady threads at all. Thus, that makes you a YOF, you are just calling me a T-Mac fan because you have nothing else to turn to.
True but he did that for the Orlando Magic. As a Lakers fan in year 7 of Shaq's career they were wondering if they should trade Shaq as well. Remember Shaq was routinely swept out of the playoffs. 4-0 before he teamed up with Phill and Kobe. Do Rockets fans give Mcgrady credit for what he did for Orlando? We only care what he does for Houston. LA had a similiar decision back then as we do today. If they would have traded Shaq as many of their fans wanted they wouldn't have won the 3 titles. Imagine if Yao, Tmac, and Ron are healthy next season come playoff time. It could be the start of a Rockets dynasty but if we trade Yao....
Big Z had a screw inserted in his foot I believe. Z also averages around 30 minutes for his entire career. I have my fingers crossed that Yao can cross that threshold into a less-injury prone half of his career like Z did.
