[Chron Blog] Yao's not great, but he doesn't have to be

Yao numbers alone prove how dominant he is. However, I don't agree with the new era athlete, because Okur sucks as a shot blocker has no business blocking Yao shot. Yao is 5 inches taller than Shaq and should block his shot. Yao is 7 inches taller than Okur so that has to stop. Like Walton said its' not like Okur spends alot of time working on blocking shots. Yao does need to improve stamina which will increase energy but for his height his stamina is the best ever for a center that tall. I would love to see 12 rebounds and 3.5 block shots a game and with his scoring ability that would definately put him in the top ten. No way Boozier should get comfortable he even did some post up moves on the block and he is about 6'8, the open looks from the outside are understandable but he should get nothing in the paint. That being said it isn't a team in the league that wouldn't give their left nut for Yao.

 

Dude is not 100 %.

Idiocracy to the highest power.

 

I say the Rockets just trade Yao to team who really needs, since everyone seems to think that he is just ok player or the Rockets actually better w/o him.

Give Yao to all of the following teams: The Pistons, Lakers, Cavs, Chicago, Washington, or even Dallas.

Then you see any of those teams easily closing in on 70 win season. I don't think it's all based on Yao's own performance, and portion of that is based on his team's performance. If his team doesn't get better, I don't think he can get that much better or even approach an all-time great list.

 

I am very happy what has been done by Yao and Tmac. The paper should be written for how to beat the Jazz if he is smart. Also the paper has some points, for example, not top 5, but most of them are meaningless because nobody knows what Yao can do next few years.

 

The main reason Yao shouldn't be on the list of greatest centers is because the era he is playing in does provide him with any competition. Shaq will be out in two seasons and all the other 7 footers are either to scared to play center (Duncan I'm looking in your direction) or they are not actual centers just glorified power fowards filling the lane (Ben Wallace). If Yao gets a ring he can probably sneak in there in Walton's position, given that he plays more than 6 years as a starter, but otherwise he will be a very good center in an era where all the other centers sucked noodles. Besides its a little greedy to want two players on that list, we have our guy in the top five and I don't think someone will be replacing him in my lifetime.

 

Yao has alot of catching up to do before I can mention him next to the dude who wears Etonics.

(1993-94) Hakeem Olajuwon left no doubt that 1994 was his year by becoming the first player ever to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, the NBA MVP and the NBA Finals MVP in the same season. "Hakeem is one of the four greatest centers in the history of basketball," Hall of Fame center Bill Walton said. "He's there with Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He's the epitome of what it takes to be a franchise player. Hakeem is the kindest man off the court and the fiercest warrior on it."

 

I believe this situation works to the disadvantage of Yao's career development and his perceived status in history. Yao struggles because there aren't enough traditional centers who let Yao play to his strength both offensively and defensively in the low post whereas Yao struggles against jump shooters and quicker & smaller players. In my opinion, Yao would play much better with increased competition of his own breed!! Give Yao more Shaqs, DRob, Ewing, his ability would be utilised and forced to improve! Yao always rises up to the challenge of a big man matchup! Hakeem is among the quick players that Yao would struggle against.

 

4 times, may I add.

 

His performance in Game 3 just stresses the fact that Yao is not there yet.

 

Other than turnovers, yao didn't play that bad yesterday. Getting to the line 16 times showed that the jazz had no answer for him except to foul him. I have no doubt that when all is said and done, Yao will be the greatest rocket of all time. Hakeem may have the championships on him now, but you have to remember those came in the years when jordan was off playing baseball and had he not done that, hakeem most likely finishes his career with zero championships.