The 3 career leaders in triple doubles are Big O at 181, Magic at 138, and Wilt at 78. Do you think Yao can reach this stratosphere? I think he can -- not because he'll be the greatest player in history, but because this is a stat tailor-made to his strengths. He's a reliable double-double guy who can pass exceptionally well for a center and will be able (as JamesC points out) to snag 10 blocks a few times. Yao to Griffin or Nachbar for a slam, Yao to Mobley or Francis for a jump shot -- it can add up pretty fast. I think by the time his career is over (if it doesn't end in an early injury), Yao can top Wilt's mark and possibly even Magic's. P.S. Nobody's got more than one quadruple double on the books. I guarantee you Yao will get two.
I have to think you are right I belive he will be 1 of the best players ever in B-Ball...not right at 1st but by mid season everyone will be talking how Lucky Houston was to get him..not how stupid they were to draft him
I think he has the potential to get a lot of triple doubles, but it's a little bold to predict he'll set the record before he's played a game.
Based on what I know about him, which is probably about average for a Rockets fan, I think 10 blocks in a game is a bit unlikely at this point.
I think Yao will probably snag a few triple-doubles in his career, but 10 blocks OR 10 assists OVER 78 times in his career. Don't think that's realistic. Quadruple-double? Maybe if the stars and planets are lined up just right. Didn't Dream have one of those? What were the stats in that game?
10 blocks is rare. 10 assists is pretty rare to for a center too. I can't imagine he'll be getting very many.
Considering that Dream was pretty good at passing out of the double team and is the career leader in blocked shots yet has only 14 career triple-doubles, I think that Yao Ming will be hard pressed to reach those "stratoshpere" numbers.
All I can see is maybe two or three a year. Triple doubles are much easier for point guards, because 10 points 10 rebounds 10 assists is the easiest triple double you can get, and point guards obvioulsy have a much better chance at doing that. As far as Wilts 78 triple doubles, that was a completely different time. Who knows if he would able to do that in today's game.
from NBA.com: [Hakeem] Recorded the 3rd quaruple-double in NBA history, with 18 points, 16 rebounds, 11 blocked shots and 10 assists, against the Milwaukee Bucks on 3/29/90
I think this thread qualifies for the some of the "most ridiculous, embarrassing hype you've read or heard about Yao Ming." The guy has yet to play on a regular basis against the best of the best and we're using his name in the same breath as Magic, Wilt and Oscar?? Sorry Will, don't believe the hype. Let him play 82 games, then we'll talk.
Also from NBA.com: [Shaquille O'Neal] recorded the lone triple-double of his career 11/20/93 @ New Jersey (24 points, career-high 28 rebounds and career-high 15 blocked shots)
I don't think Will is saying that he will be the next Wilt or Dream. But more that Yao will be on a team in which it is very feasible for him to get Triple - Quadrouple Double type numbers. POINTS I don't think Yao will become a 20 point scorer in the next two to three years, he could be on other teams, but I like that he settles for good shots and knows we have very offensively capable players on our team as well. I think he will average between 12-15 points, on a few possesions and a few put backs. REBOUNDS With our only true other Rebounding player being a 19 230# Griffin, I think double digit boards should come naturally and quite often. Though I think Francis is a great rebounder, his gaudy rebounding numbers say less about our previous frontcourts, and also limit our fast breaks. BLOCKS Being a staunch 7'6 with legs like tree trunks, he will accidently block a few shots a game. He blocked six shots during the US-China Game and those were blocks against Antonio Davis, Ben Wallace, Jermaine O'Neal, Raef LaFrentz and other all-stars including guards. What do you think will happen when Rusty LaRue and Cherokee Parks try to take it inside?? Block Party!! I think Ming will see limits offensively because of the other options on our team, but will be an anchor on our defense as Dream was back in the day, allowing Steve and Cat to play their matador defense, because of the intimidating presence inside. ASSISTS I think Ming could rack up assists because of the shooting prowess of Rice, Cat, Franchise and MoTaylor. Even Griffin and Boki are great shooters, thereby inflating Ming's assist numbers. SUMMARY The beauty is that Ming is EXACTLY what the Rockets needed. He can rebound and throw great outlet passes (best ever seen according to Bill Walton), can block shots to allow Cat and Steve to steal the ball knowing they have a 9 foot wing-span ready to stop any penetration. He is not selfish, and will not demand the ball very much. He sets picks, and does dirty work defensively. DAMN I'M EXCITED!!!!
Good point, but Olajuwon suffered from an inferior supporting cast for most of his career. Yao arrives with the cast already set up. Also, Olajuwon didn't have Yao's height advantage, which is crucial. Passing to the 3-point line is one thing; passing to a cutter to the hoop is another. The pass is harder, but the bucket is easier, and it counts the same as far as the assist stat is concerned. I'm not saying Yao is Wilt. I'm saying the triple-double stat plays to his strengths. He won't rack up huge points, IMO. But he'll get 10 or more routinely, and I think he'll get 10 assists often enough to rack up a significant number of triples.
Thanks mario.. Yao Ming has some awfully big shoes to fill. I just hope the fans aren't expecting TOO much. We need to keep it real here. But hard not to be excited.
You are expecting too much from Yao Ming, you are speculating on wishfull thinking, as there are no NBA stats, to give you any reason to predict such great heights. It would be better for us to expect little and be surprised at the great player we drafted, when he outperforms our dreams! Yao Ming will need time, to adjust to so many things we take for granted, as well as adjustments to the game and a new team, with individuals, who may hold a personal agenda above the team concept.Remember this is a new Era and the team will be turning away from Guard oriented to Center oriented or a combination of both.
One thing that most people don`t know about that game because it is rarely mentioned(don`t know why) is that Dream also had 7 steals. Just think, he was close to becoming the only person in NBA history to have a QUINTUPLE DOUBLE. Long live the DREAM(in our memories). Please excuse the wrong message quoted. I was referring to Dream`s triple double game, not Shaq`s. I`m trying out a new browser and it`s a little funky.
