I think the effect of Yao is most equivalent to Jabbar. Yao doesn't have the 100% unblockable shot, but he can most definitely shoot 56% for a career from thd wing like Jabbar did. Jabbar was an efficient passer, too, averaging 5 assists/game often. He often did the dump it down to a cutter from his superior height advantage (with same wingspan as Yao's). The defense is probably most like Bradley now, which is not bad. It is disruptive, but far from fundamentally strong. I just think he is operating on zero experience from the defensive side of things regarding being ready for the NBA. However, that last game was showing more aggression than Bradley. I agree with codell, you cannot compare him to Russell on defense. Russell also had a wingspan equivalent to Yao's. Very long arms, like Hilario. As for Sabonis, I think there is no comparison there until we see Yao run the offense from the high post. Yao's passing is as directed by the coach with some creativity, but Sabonis and Walton did things no one can teach. Those two guys are equivalent to Bird and Magic with regards to half-court passing ability. Yao is not in that league, yet, so Sabonis is a strange comparison...more speculation for my taste. To me Jabbar is the best comparison in effect, based on results from similar wing positions--13-15' out, or whatever would be a yard further than Dream's entry point. Sure they had different shots, but same result on FG%, defense, rebounding and passing.
He reminds me of Rik Smits offensively especially the way he shoots from the baseline and defensively he reminds me of a young Mark Eaton. As soon as he learns the tricks of the trade on defense he should become as big a force there as he is offensively.
is it me or is he not really like rik smits at all? he has the shooting touch but most of his scoring comes from inside and on post moves. smits did alot of his damage from 15 footers facing up. right now it's pretty clear that he's gonna blow way, way past smits. defensively, he's just tall. his agressiveness is beginning to show but fundamentally he's nowhere near a dream or russell. as good as he is now, he's just scratched the surface of his ability.
That's why I said Bird (shooting and passing) because there's really no center that ever had a shot like Yao. Yao shoots like a Guard/Forward (Bird). But also has post moves like Wilt and McHale.
Offensivley he reminds me of a combination of Kareem and Walton...( with little bits of McHale-good find, David!-Sampson, and Ewing) Defensively he reminds me of a combination of Ralph Sampson and Bradley... In no way does he remind me of Russell on defense...not at all...Russell was an agile cat on defense...like Hakeem, but not as quick with his hands, but even more relentless...his intensity was waht stood out, he just never stopped coming...Which is exactly the opposite of Yao Ming, whose greatest weakness so far has been that he often looks too passive on defense...not so much lately, but in general...I just don't see it...
Mchale, Sampson (when healthy) and hakeem are great comparisons...... as far as not being catty like Russell...as of late he is relentless...he is beginning to emerge....look at how many times he keeps the ball alive by tipping, though these do no count as rebs. this guy is getting his hands on every ball off the rim (close to it)! he is coming at people left and right..... sure, he will be in his own league, but people will always compare him until he establishes his own game...it is fun to watch and compare because someday we will not be able to compare....
