Yao has made the All NBA team only once: 3rd team in 03-04. Here are all NBA centers since Yao joined the league. 02-03 Shaq Ben Wallace J. O'neal 03-04 Shaq Ben Wallace Yao 04-05 Shaq Amare Ben Wallace It seems that Ben Wallace will be his greatest competition, but can the all-Nba first team center carry a scoring average of less than 8 points a game? I think the only thing stopping Yao is his injury problems this year. Yao's numbers are better than Shaq's, and both have missed about the same number of games. Amare hasn't played yet and J. O'neal has missed more games than Yao and his numbers aren't as good. If the Rockets can make a push into the playoffs, Yao should have a very good arguement for being on the first team this year.
I think the thing that may prevent Yao from getting elected for NBA 1st team is the prejudice against him among league personels. They will somehow justified putting Shaq or Ben in front of him. Our struggling making the playoff doesn't help either.
I was talking to my brother about this the other day. Stats-wise, Yao is CLEARLY the best center in the league. Whether they give him first team or not, I doubt it.
I highly doubt that the coaches will place Shaq lower than first team. If Yao doesn't get at least 2nd team, that will be a travesty.
I doubt it. Yao doesn't have the "rep" of being the top center. The only way I see Yao making 1st team all-nba, is if he continues with his torrid post all-star production, 26 and 14, while leading the Rockets to the playoffs. Even then the first two slots might go to Shaq and Big Ben based on reputation and the Piston's record. But if Yao can't at least get 3rd team all-nba, that would be truly criminal. If Yao can reproduce his post surgery numbers next season, 21.9 and 11.2, then there's no doubt in my mind that he'll make the First Team next year and for many years to come.
No. Shaq will be on the first team as long as he plays. Ben Wallace will likely be on the second team due to Detroit's excellent record. Yao will be on the third team if the Rockets make the playoffs.
Interesting. I don't think Ben will be 1st team because offensively, Yao and Shaq or so much supperior. Purely looking at #'s, Yao is playing better than Shaq. Especially if they take into consideration Yao's play since coming back from surgury. The ONLY justification one could make is team record. But even that sucks. Shaq/Wade have played nearly all season together. Had Yao/TMac played all season, they'd clearly have similiar team records. If Yao doesn't get 1st team this season, it clearly demonstrates a bias.
As long as they keep Amare playing at the center position, his NBA career will end in 5 years. How many games has he missed since he joined NBA? To select Ben Wallace as the 1st team is a joke. How can you select a guy has zero offense skill as the best center in the league? Dennis Rodman only was selected to 3rd team twice and he is better than Ben Wallace.
doesn't Yao have to play a minimum number of games? isn't that way his stats r not listed on any sites that track them because he is under the minium of minutes or games.
Yao will never get respect until he makes some noise in the playoffs. That's just the way it is, and always has been.
Yao not never have a chance at 1st team all NBA until he leads the Rockets to the title, or puts up 25-13 for the whole season. Even so, they will claim that Ben's defense negates all Yao's offense. And as long as Shaq plays, he will be automatically selected as a 1st teamer even if he averages 18-8. No sportswriter will have to question his selection for sure.
1. As long as Shaq is playing, he will always be in the 1st team. (I think he'll retire in 2 years). 2. Yao will not be voted into 1st team unless he lead the Rockets deep into playoff; 3. Yao will be in 3rd team this year IF he keeps up his current playing.
I think Yao has a great chance at being 1st team even with Shaq healthy AND Houston not making the playoffs. You all are underestimating how great Yao is playing and if he continues doing so, and the Rockets keep winning at a decent clip, even if the Rox don't hit the playoffs, Yao will be at 23.5pts, 11.5rebs, 2blks, 52%FG, 85%FT at the end of the season (with the Rox around 40 wins). Pretty good numbers to support his case... and if Miami hits a losing streak, it can only help Yao's chances. With all that, if he doesn't get it, I won't be heartbroken, but he had better make second team, if not theres something wrong. Stuart
So how did Elton Brand, Steve Francis, Allen Iverson, Damon Stoudemire, and Vince Carter to name a few won the ROY. It's decided by how you play not if you make the playoffs. Yao took a while to develop his rookie year and Amare outplayed him that year in many peoples eyes.
