Even if Yao was playing Dwight would still be the best center in the league. People on this board are so delusional. Yao is not as good as you think he is. Through out his career he has proven NOTHING. (Dwight has not proven much either, but at least he took his team to the finals and he can stay on the freaking court) From a basketball perspective (not a business perspective) ever single GM in the NBA would take Dwight over Yao everyday of the week.
I'll buy into it this year he truly showed some new moves that indicated progress in his game. But Howard nearly always shows extra oomph on the offensive end the first part of the season. Some combination of defenses adjusting, the Magic going away from him and Howard's diminished ability to hit shots that aren't dunks cause him to experience major slowdown's later in the season. I've lost count of how many times he's said to be playing at an MVP level in Nov/Dec, but when April and May come around he's fallen off the radar as a serious candidate. To clarify something, I'm a fan of DH and think the Yao fans here who try and belittle everything about him to make Yao look good are juvenile.
So everyone agrees that Dwight Howard is the best center in the league. We also know that Yao - when healthy - usually got the better of Howard in their matchups. Yet, so many people here hate on Yao now, just because he has had unfortunate injuries, and want to get rid of him? That does not make sense. Yes, you have to look at his injury history and prognosis when determining his future contract value - but just the mere chance of having him play in important matches is worth much more than, e.g., signing a Gortat, even if he plays the full season.
Don't you think the latter part of your statement has a lot to do with the first? Its not like once Yao Ming is healthy enough to play he can reach MVP levels instantly, more than likely those days are already behind him. Not only that you're wasting capspace every moment that Yao spends sitting on the bench. Of course it also depends on the price, if Yao was willing to play for only the MLE then he'll be a steal, but at his current rate he's too much trouble for his actual production. And no, having a Gortat who can play the whole season is infinitely more valuable than waiting for Yao Ming to get healthy enough to stay on the court. Even when he does get healthy Yao will still need time to get in shape and fit in the offense, and by the time he's finally 100% the playoffs may be over already.
I think its a lack of a proper big man coach in Orlando. During the summer DH can attend all these camps and visit with guys like Hakeem who can teach him this or that, but once the regular season rolls around he's stuck with Patrick Ewing, who judging from the work he's done on Yao Ming has contributed ZERO to DH's offensive development. You need constant repetition with correct form before these moves become second nature. DH might have access to the teachers who taught him these moves once the season starts
Then we just agree to disagree. I know a Gortat does not make me a contender. A healthy Yao Ming with the right pieces around him might. I'll take the chance.
Keep waiting for Godot then, mate. I wish you luck Of course you could just get Gortat then spend the difference between Ming and Gortat on another player instead...
Yao is on the downside. It's doubtful he ever regains dominant form even if he stays relatively healthy (which is very doubtful). The "chance of having him play in important matches" such as the playoffs is not very good. Yao has a lot to prove this year after missing an entire season. If he isn't durable, I expect him to retire. If he ends up playing injury-free over the final 50 games of the season, then we'll see.
I didn't like howard. I didn't like him because I tought his work ethic wasn't the best and I blamed him for not getting better offensivly. Now, I blame Stan and his teammates for not going to him enough. The guy has become a monster. He still can't shoot but at least he tries and can now score with his back to the basket. If they give him enough touches, he could easily average 30 ppg. I am amazed by how good he's been.
I do believe DH is one of the best C in the league. but the only thing he can finish is deffence but offence. We can see that Yao got both DF and OF skills. though sometimes Yao is poor when he is DFing, but you can't say that he don't know how to DF. So i think Yao is much better than DW
Have you watched Kevin Love play? He's clearly not a center, and he's a defensive liability. Dwight is the best by a mile.
