I don't think you can write it off completely to being his lack of mobility. There are still certain things he could be doing that aren't hindered by that. For one, for all the cheap shots guys like Devin Harris and Josh Howard have given him over the years, flagrant fouls even, he has never dealt out any retribution. And we saw the other day what his weak attempt was. It also wouldn't hurt to try and dunk the ball when close to the basket instead of flipping it up where it can roll out or get blocked. But the mobility certainly has alot to do with the stigma surrounding him. When other stars look bad, they are just missing shots and having an off day. When Yao looks bad - he looks real bad. Stumbling around getting denied the ball by fronting defenses, the "aw shucks" look after he has his shot blocked into the 10th row by a guy a foot shorter than him, the late reaction after getting stripped from behind. His lack of mobility exaggerates all his actions and put everything into ultra slow motion. If things aren't going well, the picture isn't pretty.
It's not a black league, it's an American League, so any prejudice would be because Yao is a citizen of China. So, China has more people than the US, and the Chinese population has nothing better to do than hug Yao's nuts, and our Superbowl was outrated.....so what? Television conquers the world? No wonder Yao gets no love.....
Do you enjoy living in Florida? You really don't have to worry about the Chinese govt stripping anything from you. Unless you are a spy. That's it, you must be a spy.
This is the only post worth reading in this thread. It's the damn truth, and people gonna turn a blind eye to it cause they don't wanna know the truth. Now what would happen when Yao starts going off for a bunch of 40pt, 15reb games!?
I'm gonna add few things to that, but most will probably not listen and call me Yao lover. 1. Orlando is very weak rebounding team, Howard is the only player on the team who averages over 5 rebounds a game, no wonder he gets so many rebounds, his team sucks at that. In Houston, Yao has always been surrounded by above average to very good rebounders. There are currently five players averaging over 5 rebounds a game for Houston, while those five don't include Scola (at 4.8) and Mutombo (who is over 10 a game for his entire career). Houston is superior rebounding team, which means that as result Yao's rebounding numbers are not going to be as high. Look Ewing's rebounding numbers and the Admiral's years with Dennis Rodman/TIm Duncan, most of their numbers were around 9 to 12 rebs a game. IT would be hard for them to average much more than that consistently because those teams had other great rebounders or had great rebounding squads all over the floor. 2. He's not as refined as Yao, when it comes to both offense and defense. Most of you keep bringing up athletism, when doesn't mean everything. They're are other things that come into equations as far as intangibles and unseen statistics. Just because you're superior athlete doesn't make you a better player compare someone like Michael Vick to Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. Compare Dominique Wilkins to Larry Bird. Compare Kevin Garnett to Tim Duncan. Compare Chad Johnson to Steve Largent Just because a player can leap higher, run faster, and make exciting plays doesn't mean he is a better player. 3. Stength of Conference: If Dwight Howard is as good as everyone say he is, then how come Orlando can't win in the Leastern Conference, arguably one of the worst conferences in pro sports today. Last year, only 3 teams won over 50 games, the highest being 53, which would've been good for 4 or 5th place in the West. Dwight' team last year got off to fast start and the best conference record, but when tougher games came and the season progressed. the Magic fell out of playoff picture. And snuck into playoffs with 38 wins as number 8 seed. If Howard is this great player, like everyone says he is, shouldn't they be able to get higher seed in the playoffs. While Yao and the Rockets always have to play a team that's usually championship or conference final bound. In the season and the playoffs, the Rockets have consistent deal with teams like the Spurs, Suns, Mavs, and Jazz...then lesser teams, like Lakers, Nuggets, Clippers, Warriors, Hornets, and Grizzlies. Most of teams are stacked with talent and are very well coached. Most of the teams in lower part of western conference playoff teams would've been home teams last year if they play in the East. If Orlando played the West, they would be lottery team for sure or stuggling for 8 seed. 4. Shooting numbers, although Dwight is averaging over 60% shooting on the season. Most would come to the conclusion that he's a better shooter than Yao or even a better scorer, but that's not the case. First off, most his points come from dunks, while Yao's are a combination of hook shots, fallaways, fadeaways, bank shots, pump fakes, up and under shots, beyond 10 foot shots, and etc. You can clearly see that Yao has larger skill set when it comes to scoring. Also, you have D-Howard only gets 13 shots a game to Yao's 15 to 18 shots a game. I mention this, because Yao is better at getting shots off than Howard. This means he can take more shots from certain areas of the floor and he's also a more aggressive scorer....notice I didn't say dunker. This is also relevant, because how many teams try to front or even double/triple team Howard. Also, another thing is the Magic have more willing and better passers than the Rockets do in there back-court. I'm sure if zones or doubling a player off the ball was still an illegal defense...Yao's numbers would shoot up to possibly 30 a game. Because, there are very few players in the league that consistently shut him down, if at all. I've only seen maybe too players who can consistently slow down Yao, most of them are bigger players. Fronting is only effective when other players are not playing aggressive or hitting their shots....it leaves very vulnerable to the basket....if the Rocket players could actually move the ball and make their shots and go to post...then they fronting strategy would start to go away more and more. It's very easy strategy to beat, in fact you only see teams who are very weak defensively use it like baby to mother's tit....why is that? the Suns, GSW, and the Grizzlies. The Spurs do it here and there, but that don't clutch to it for there lives, because they've got Duncan on the other side and Bowen out on the perimeter.
Shaq has never averaged 30 and 15. In fact I would venture to guess only Wilt has averaged those numbers. Shaq's best year was 99-00 when he dropped 29.7 and 13.6. I was curious so I looked up Moses Malone: his best year (30 and 15-wise) was 81-82: 31.1 and 14.6. And just to give you a clue of what a freak Wilt was: he averaged 30.1 and 22.9 over 14 seasons. His best year, 61-62, he had 50.4 and 25.7! Anyone elso know of anyone else close to 30 and 15?
Well, then we will proclaim Yao the best center in the world. You have to prove it on the court. Dwight Howard did it so far. That's why Orlando is #2 in the East
I would go for this if Yao was constantly fighting off teammates for boards, or consistently in a position to do that. This isn’t the case though. Yao doesn’t get a lot of those boards because if the rebound isn’t coming in his general vicinity, then he isn’t gonna get it because he isn’t that mobile. His lack of mobility and ability to chase boards has nothing to do with his teammates. I agree. But ya know what, neither were Hakeem or Shaq early on in their careers. The thing is it’s possible for Howard to develop skillsets as he gets older (Hakeem did). Yao will never become athletic. I’m not just going off athleticism. I’m going off production. At least so far this season, Howard’s production seems to be just as good as Yao’s. I still don’t think you can run an offense through Howard like you can through Yao, but it seems like Howard may have him beat in the other categories. I love Yao but he really hasn’t shown me that he can carry a squad with no T-Mac either. It’s not like the Magic have really had a competent squad since Howard has been there. If Dwight can get off his higher % dunks just as much as Yao can get off his shots, then I will gladly take whatever goes in the most. It would also go away if Yao did a better job of sealing his position early and holding onto it. How often do you see Shaq fronted or folks get that position on him? He is better at using his size and he knows how to seal. He is also more mobile, which helps as well.
Yeah....but when it happens to one of our guys everyone wants him shipped out of town. Very strange to me.
News Alert: Some unnamed center on the Rockets has only 14 points and 6 turnovers. What are you trying to prove? One game doesn't mean anything. Don't be offended by some Rockets fans thinking Howard is better. Get over it and cheer for Yao. What are you going to post the next time Howard does a 35/15?
Let's get lost tonight You could be my black Kate Moss tonight Play secretary, I'm the boss tonight. And you don't give a f**k what they all say, right? Awesome, the Christian in Christian Dior Damn they don't make 'em like this anymore I ask, cause I'm not sure Do anybody make real **** anymore? Bow in the presence of greatness Cause right now thou has forsaken us You should be honored by my lateness That I would even show up to this fake **** So go ahead go nuts, go ape **** Especially in my pastelle, all my bape **** Act like you can't tell who made this New gospel homey take six, and take this, haters
I understand where your coming from but the only player I want shipped out of town is Battier. I like Yao, even when he has a bad game.
Well, he still grabbed 14 rebounds in a win. What pisses me off is that more often than not (so far in this season), Yao would have lackadaisical performances on both ends of the floor. I can stomach Yao having a bad shooting night, but not his piss poor effort on rebounding and defense on the same night. DHo always seems to give you 110% night in and night out, sadly I don't see that from Yao nowadays. You can't blame it on Adelman. Great players are self-motivated. Too much talk the talk (all those leadership bullcrap) but not much walk the walk. Disappointing.
Big men like Yao and Shaq (300+ lbs) need the ball on offense in order to be more active on defense and the boards. It's not easy for them to move their big bodies around, and if they're feeling like they're not part of the offense, they'll hang back on D as well. You can talk about self-motivation all you want, but that's the way it is for the unique giants of this game. Shaq used to always say "you gotta feed the big dog if you want him to guard the house." Right now, Yao is being starved.
