Not what I was referring to at all. Compared to McHale, Thibodeau is a defensive genius and under him, I feel that the Rockets would be light years better defensively especially in key situations. But I agree with you about the assists because Noah is the better passer and that never was a major part of Howard's game. If memory serves, Yao was never supposed to be a high post passer. The plan was to plant him in the paint and surround him with 3 point shooters. Recall what his was like when he first came into the league? He was a very good passer but the Rockets wanted him to be another Hakeem so they planted him in the post. He was not really supposed to generate a ton of assists in Van Gundy's or Adelman's schemes. But to be fair, when Yao played, he did not have a Parsons or a Harden playing alongside him which is an advantage that Howard enjoys today.
Agreed, but another glaring point you miss is the simple one: No big man(7 feet) has the ability of any of those 90's eras big guys. None. Those are all factors above, but again, even with that, no one currently has that same ability.
Another good point but a major reason why is due to what's happened in the pros. Back in the 80s & 90s, players stayed longer in college and honed their skills. By the time they were drafted into the NBA, players - especially the big men who take longer to develop - were better able to make the jump to the next level. Today, with so many players leaving early, the big men aren't ready and hence their ability to play the position suffers as a result. That plus the changes in the game described above have served to diminish their role.
This is the real reason. Prime Duncan and Shaq didn't have much of a problem with these "anti-center" rules. The current era is missing the 90s' first tier of centers and half of the 2nd.
it's not extinct, it just requires you to have a jumpshot to be successful consistently offensively, days of backing down with a little hook shot, or dunk and (no jumper) ended with SHAQ.
On top of that you have the influence of MJ and the Kobe who was the face of the game for more than 2 decades....so the kids growing up try to emulate these players and not develop the fundamental skills for the center position.
Dream though hes my fav player and im not undermining his HOF career, BUT, the reason why he was so successful and why you wont ever see another player like the dream come into the league is because of "old school "Illegal Defense (not to be confused with 3 seconds in the key). Back in the day, it was illegal to "double team" before the pass. Allowing Dream to 1v1. In which he would dominate. Howard can learn all he want from hakeem, but it wont get him or any player near what Hakeem could do. Inside outside game is gone
Shaq was the biggest player of his era by a pretty big margin. Most decent 7 footers can contain Howard.
People need to understand the effect of a paint protector in the NBA. The paint protecting center is by far and away the greatest defensive influence in the NBA. Just look at Asik's numbers from last season. Do you remember the pain last season when Asik sat 18 minutes a game? Besides, who is a better judge of player's impact on the game than Morey? Did Morey not pursue Howard for years? That should tell you something right there. Don't take my word for it, take Morey's.
True regarding defensive impact, but offense seems to be the thesis of this thread. Posters say rules have made centers' offense extinct.
Jordan is making about half of what Howard makes, so why complain about that? I haven't seen this supposed elite impact on defense from Howard like I expected to see. The Rockets are not even a top 10 defense. I mean to go from 16th in D with Asik to 12th in D with Howard, and not upgrade the offense at all for 20-23 million doesn't really seem worth it, does it?
This basically proves just how amazing Jordan was. He scored at will even against the elite centers of this era and with much more difficulty. I honestly believe a prime MJ in this era would drop 50 every game.
