I think injury aside, Yao can be in the top of the class. You have to consider all the factors. Yao needed to make more adjustments than any others. He also came into a team with greater talent. He had to earn his teammates' respect and trust while the others all just came in and immediately became "the men" of their teams. Yao is not just an All-Star talent. He has HOF ability. We Rockets fans are blessed.
did that crappy article put Hakeem a tier below David Robinson....I hope I just have a buzz and misread it...uggh
They compared rookie stats. They also put Ewing a tier below Mourning. Hakeem is easily in the highest class of centers of all time.
It looks like none of the Center can shoot free throw better than Yao...80% above, that's huge. And historically it appears the better Center you are the worst free throw shooter you are. Also taking into account that the early games are very different from today's game. Today's game are more sophisticated and much harder to get the shot off, more physical, different game and players are just much better, you take all of that into account, Yao is on the right track to be a great player.
