I have seen this "best duo" thing allover the world these 2 days, English media, Chinese Media, TV, newspaper, website, this BBS. So after being repeated for so many times it got to be the truth.
The best duo since Jordan and Pippen, in fact, the best duo EVER is: It's not even close. End of story.
Maybe I'm biased here but I think they're better than all but Shaq Kobe. I'm actually not sure Yao / TMac will ever be as good as Shaq / Kobe. Shaq in his prime was better than Yao will be in his prime, Kobe and TMac's skills are the respective points in their careers (i.e. Kobe circa 2000, and TMac circa 2007) are intersecting, with Kobe going up and TMac going down... So without question Kobe / Shaq was better. On the other hand, these other duos are not better than Yao / TMac. The Spurs are a team, they were never a duo. Parker is in his prime now, but Duncan is on his decline. Right now I wouldn't say they are better. Nash / Amare, again, Nash is better than TMac if you can make this apples to oranges comparison because face it he was back to back MVP, but Yao is better / more reliable than Amare now. Boozer and D. Williams... I mean sadly there was a head to head beat down, but in years to come, they will not be remembered as a Stockton to Malone type of duo.
Not saying that Yao is ... but Pippen or Shaq could not guard Boozer either: one too short and the other too tall ...
Shaq in his prime + ANY all-star swingman is >>>>>> Yao + McGrady at their peak. Heck, Barkley + Wade duo >>>>>> Yao + TMac
He must think Shaq +Kobe +Phil as a trio. Shaq and Kobe didn't win any championship until Phil became Lakers coach.
How can MJ and Pippen be part of best duo ever when neither of them can guard Barkley? How can Shaq be one of the most dominant player when he can't guard Steve Francis? Get real, guarding Boozer is not supposed to be Yao's responsibility, just like guarding Yao is not Boozer's job, otherwise Boozer would also get burned by Yao.
Enough with all this "maybe" or "until T-mac/Yao get a ring". T-mac/Yao isn't on Shaq/Kobe's level, period. All you really have to do is compare their production. It's as simple as that. T-mac at best is equal to Kobe 2001-2003, while Yao doesn't even touch Shaq in his prime.
