Yao is nimble but it seems like Shaq has better movement and quickness then Yao and that is the ultimate test.
Yao will go back to China every summer. Even though there's no international competition he'll still need to help the kids in China to develop their BBall skill. People in China won't give him a lot of time for personal training. That's the bad part of drafting a Chinese, but I'll still take Yao over any other rookie any day, because of his potential.
Whoever mentioned the injuries associated w/ 30 extra pounds was right on. He'd be 7'6" and 320 lbs. With that frame, continued pounding up and down the floor and no rest in 3 years, Yao would be very prone for stress damage to bones and ligaments in his lower body. People that large really do have more problems with stress and overuse injuries. Im afraid he wouldn't hold up. Strength AND conditioning is the way to go.
Ming would dominate with 30 lbs of muscle. He does not have to worry about putting on fat because of his matabolism and activity rate. With a personal trainer he should be able to put on around 10 lbs this offseason like Griffin did. If he can slowly put on 5-10 lbs of muscle each offseason he will be a force. I doubt Ming could ever get this chizeled but imagine how good he would be if he was. This should be his goal.
I watched a college game of Robinson on ESPN classic not long ago. He was skinny like a toothpick. (The Yao Ming today would look like Shaq standing next to the Robinson back then) Amazing that he could get his body to be strong like that.
I agree. He doesn't need to add too much bulk, his lower base seems pretty strong already. He just needs more strength and improve his CARDIO. I think sometimes we all get carried away about how much bigger a NBA player should get. I believe this is due to SHAQ being so freaking strong and dominate. Unless someone is 7'2", 450lbs of muscle, no one is going to shove that guy around. Having a great physique does not necessarily equate to a great player. Look at Dampier or Anthony Mason. Most of the time a lot of big men in the NBA need to get better because they are role players (just rebound, play defense, and not be much of an offensive threat) and can't score or pass much. Even Shaq is not a great defender, has average lateral movement, can't stop the pick and roll, and gets in trouble chasing quick centers around. I don't know why teams with skilled big men don't attack him more. On the contrary, look at Kareem, Hakeem, Bird, and McHale. Lengendary front line guys with great skills, smarts, and heart. Strength can be improved in a year of so (Alonzo Mourning) but possessing a fundamental understanding of the game to go with all-around skills is what makes a player truly special.
