You develop different skill sets at different heights... so I wouldn't give dirk and KG that much of an advantage comparatively. The only thin constant between body types is his character, and I think that will propel Yao to becoming great even if he wasn't 7'6.
I once saw Drexler in high school. He got the ball on a fast break at half court and it seemed like within two strides he was slamming. I wanted to do that. I worked hard for two years... running, lifting, squatting... everything I could think of. Eventually, I was in tremendous shape and my work paid off... I managed to take off close to the basket and dunk a tennis ball once.
How many guys in the HISTORY of the game have skillsets of KG and Dirk at their heights? Likewise, how many guys in the history of the game have been able to dominate like Yao does at his height? They're all unique.... they're all special...
If Yao was 7 feet, he would be even quicker and with the handle he's displayed in the past and the long range he used to have when he entered the NBA, he would be a CHinese version of Dirk.
Well... I'm not saying they are not unique or great. Its just that the aforementioned players have maximized their skillsets given their physical capabilities. My opinion was just that Yao could of become just as unique, while being shorter, because of the work he puts into his game. The same goes for Dirk and KG.
In that case, Sun ming ming should become the next greatest thing. I tend to think of height in basketball in economical terms. The advantage of height diminishes as you grow taller, up until the point of 7'3 of 7'4. I very much doubt that Shaq could be as mobile if he was at that height. Yao is actually not that advantaged in terms of tapping rebounds - his shorter wing span and lack of athletic ability to jump multiple times constrain his effectiveness. Having basketball IQ and vision is not necessarily a function of height, as Nash would tell you. Seeing over defenses and being able to make the right pass are two different things.
One other thought. It's funny that before Yao came into the NBA, many predicted he would fail because he's 7'6. Now everyone is saying he's a great player because he's 7'6.
Your comparison is dumb. Why do you compare Yao to Wang Zhu Zhu and Batere? Because they have the same skin and hair color? What about the other important attributes which make a player special? There were hundreds of 6'6" players with comparable athletism and skills as Michael Jordan. But there is only one MJ. What separated them is the grey matter in their brains. Have you ever asked yourself why MJ is the best player in the history of the NBA but Isaiah Rider didn't amount to anything?
I think the 7-6 part of his game makes him better. Even if he was 7 feet he would probably be the same speed he is now.
While they could've passed they didn't and are just as unlikely as a shorter Yao considering that you would have to build a time machine to make them pass. OTOH the technology actually exist to make Yao smaller and say if Yao developed a bone infection in his legs that could happen. Its all hypothetical but as far as the realm of imagination goes if Lucas can imagine Jar Jar Binks and more amazingly imagine people would love Jar Jar its a very wide realm.
Just because they are the same race, doesn't mean they will peform the same at the same height. That's like saying "Look at Gheorge Muresan, a 7'7 white player who can run and has decent shooting range(similar to Dirk). He could barely survive in the NBA. Yao is better at an inch less than Gheorge, so Yao would be better than Dirk at 7ft." Or "Look at Manute Bol, a 7'7 black player who can run and has decent shooting(similar to Duncan). He could barely survive in the NBA. Yao is better at an inch less than Manute, so Yao would be better than Duncan at 7ft." There are also many 7 ft white and black bust players that never make it in the nba.
Yao Ming would rival Hakeem Olajuwon's skill-set if he was 3-4 inches shorter. There is ZERO doubt in my mind he would be better. The only thing Yao lacks that Dream enjoyed is athleticism/quickness. His footwork might not be as good as Dream's (really, no one's is) but it's as good or better than any other big man in the league not named Tim Duncan. Yao would've been even more of a monster if he was a bit shorter (7'1" or 7'2" at most). His height is more disadvantageous to his overall game, IMO. It hurts his rebounding, his stamina, and his overall quickness.
He'd probably be almost as good...BUT it would take him much longer to be dominant in the league. Most coaches would run out of patience and turn him into another Darko.
He would be worse. Do you think at 7'0" he would have the athleticism of Dwight Howard or Hakeem? Why on earth would you think so? There are plenty of unathletic 7 footers around. Yao is blessed with great footwork and good moves, but he is not explosive. And shortness does not make on explosive.
