Ah, maybe I misphrased my post. I like Mutombo. He's a terrific back-up C. I've been astonished by how useful he's been. I root for him to do well. I just dislike all the unfavorable comparisons Yao receives to Mutombo on this board. If you reversed the roles, gave more minutes to Mutombo and fewer to Yao, the results wouldn't be close - he wouldn't be nearly as productive and we wouldn't win as much. Mutombo is great in his role on this team - I just don't see why people are so quick to suffer from delusions about him at the expense of Yao.
IMO, Yao had two good games, three average games and one horrible game in this series. He had 11pts 8rebs in first game and two others in foul trouble with limited time. You certainly can't call them good games because controlling his fouls and avoiding dumbass ones are big factors measuring his performance. If Yao were our No.1 scorer, we could have been swept because he couldn't keep himself on the court and when he struggles on offense, all aspects of his game struggle. Yao is no doubt better than Dampier, but this is not a deciding factor of this series.
You say that, but only because of how harsh people are on Yao in general. When anybody other than a superstar (which Yao is not) goes for something like 16 and 9...he's had a good game (about right in the 3 average games...). Look at the silly money that gets tossed around at players who are 7 feet tall and average 11 and 8. Hell, if you started Mutombo - he wouldn't average 11 and 8.
Right on. Being outperformed defensively by Mutombo who can still play at a high level in limited minutes is no shame. If I remember correctly, Mutombo is a FOUR times NBA defensive player of the year (the last time as recent as 2001) and led the whole league many times in season rebounds and blocks. He was arguably the best defensive player in NBA in the late 90's. To say that Yao sucks because Mutombo is a better defensive player (like some people said in the chat room) is just stupid.
A lot of times, Yao will have a good game and put up decent numbers, but his impact on the game will seem so small. Whereas when Deke has a good game, the impact is always huge. Obviously, Yao is a better individual player, but sometimes, for whatever reason, the team will play better with Deke on the floor.
Yeah, but any three time all star players having something like 11pts 8rebs or 8pts 5rebs will be considered having a bad game. He is just too inconsitant to be depend upon. I rather seeing him getting 18 and 9 night in and night out. You just don't know what you will get from Yao at any given night! I think that is what most ppl feel most frustrated about him and why he is getting criticized even he has a decent season stats. BTW, Mutombo earned NBA Defensive Player of the Year for 4 times, averages 11pts 11rebs and 3blks for his career. Even he is 38+ old right now, he is still quicker, plays better defense and rebounds better. Go figure.
So, is it your contention that the team would be better off with Mutombo getting 30 minutes and Yao getting 18? Is Yao a detriment to the team? Yao goes through stages where he's cold...but when he's effective in the post, the team seems to play at an entirely different level.
That is why I think what Yao need to impove the most is not his offense. 18+pts for a second scorer is more than enough. Conditioning, footwork, rebounding and defense should be given higher priorities.
I’m perfectly happy with the minute distribution the way it is now. Mutombo cannot handle starter minutes at his age. I just think that in a lot of games this season, Mutombo has had more of an impact on the outcome of the game playing only 18 minutes than Yao does playing 30 minutes.
yao is who he is. he will never be close to the defender that deke is. he should focus on dominating on offense every game, not just twice a month.
I don't think he'll ever be the defender Deke was, but Yao has been a big presence in the paint at times this series.
Alright, so are you willing to go all out and say" Mutombo has been a more valuable player than Yao" this season?
I'm not saying he's more valuable. We are not going to win a championship without Yao. But we can win a couple of playoff games without him, because we have Mutombo. It's kind of like when Charles Barkley and Kevin Willis were Rockets. Charles was obviously the more valuable player, but Willis could step in for Charles in some games and we wouldn't miss a beat.
The stats are a little misleading considering yao has played much more. Yao has 177 min and Dampier has 131. Yao still has better point and block ratios but a slightly worse rebounding ratio.
The real comparison: Dampier: 37rebs / 5blks / 36pts in 131 minutes Mutombo.: 35rebs / 7blks / 22pts in 97 minutes 2nd Best Center in the league? Yeah right, that's what happens when you mix karma with reality, Dampier. Nice try. Stuart
You are right, the stats are misleading. Most of Yao's points have come despite Dallas' best efforts to stop him. Most of Damp's points have been uncontested dunks when Yao has left him to help out with another player.
Actually Ivanyy2000's take is spot on. It is not just about the numbers but Yao's has only been good enough in only 2 games so far. Agreed - he is not a super star yet but at the same time he not carrying his cross well enough either as our Batman's Robbin - the supposed Ying to TMAC's Yang (so to speak). It is not about harshness towards him but the harsh reality of Yao inconsistent level of play so far. He even said it himself - that he expects so much from himself....that he knows he can do better (his words on ESPN tonight). We still love and believe in him but facts are facts. Go Braves!
