James Harden and Jeremy Lin is not even a fair comparison. Harden is our defacto franchise player 1a or 1b, as was Yao. So, who's better?
The Fuhrer is going to ruin yao! And turn him into Vlade divac. But you know what a great coach and player did, both adjusted and created a dreamy fusion. Yao very coachable; harden on the other hand, he does what he wants and you better like it. Give me yao every second of every minute of every hour, every day.
It was much harder for Yao to get and stay in shape because of his huge frame yet he did it and made no excuses. He never had to say "it's on me" because he left everything on the floor.
Yao didn't really accomplish anything for the Rockets, and Harden hasn't either. That said at least Yao played his heart out.
It's early days. But if Harden continues to be a NO SHOW in the playoffs in the coming years, then it's not even close.