The question is whether are not will Yao be able to consistently impose his will on opponents. The jury is still out. Yao will put up franchise numbers, I think we all can agree on that. His numbers are already close.
Shaq never went to a final four either while guys like Corliss Williamson and Laettner went to multiple ones. Obviously, Shaq and TD are better than Williamson and Laettner. So why did they suck in the tourney? The talent level around them is certainly a huge factor but I also feel a college coach's ego causes them to micromanage the game too much. There is also the fact that the tourney is a one-and-done type of deal. I also don't think Yao is a franchise player but he will be next year. The guy just went from ROY runner-up to 3rd team All-NBA. This is only the beginning.
I think he will be. WILL be. The guy improved 4pts on his point average this season and was a different player (well, majority of the time) than he was in his rookie season. Funny... many people will give Franchise the time, but are so inpatient with Yao. Why do the the obvious Yao-haters always bring up some quote like "YOu all think he is the 7-6 Chinese Michael Jordan," "the second coming of Hakeem," or some other overblown comparison neve made... or if it was by some oversealos YOF. I can't wait until he fulfill his potential (and he will) Stuart
He's one of the top 4 centers in the league right now. He is not as good as the MVP candidates, Garnett, Duncan, etc. He is our center. Most teams would trade theirs for ours. We are lucky to have him. So we have our 5 spot locked down. Next topic. What is with bashing Yao. He is what he is. I'm so glad he is our center. Is he a franchise player. Doesn't look like it now. He has alot still to learn. He still fades in the 2nd half. But he has flashed the potential at times. If he improves enough he will shut everyone up. He will improve some more. How much? I just hope he doesn't leave the Rockets. What a lucky break we caught getting that #1 pick. He is the best center on the horizon. Love it Rocket fans. Everyone else eat your heart out.
What I know is Yao is not a franchise player right now, but he is learning, he is improving, he is 24. It seems like few people remembered that only 2 years ago, we are talking about Yao is a project, he needs time to fit in, maybe 1-2 years to really contribute. In my opinon, Yao is ahead of the expectation, and I do see more upside room for him. So why not be a little bit pacient?
a franchise player is the one you build your team around. the rockets organization say that man is yao, like it or not.
Please name 3 centers that are better than him now. And I will bet that he will be the #1 center, making first team all NBA next season and will also become the #1 bashing target from the fans on this board.
Although the guy was only a runner-up for ROY last season, he BARELY missed 3rd team all-NBA in the voting process. He got the most votes out of those who missed the top 3 all NBA teams last season. He is a lock for 2rd team all NBA next year, with a real shot at the 1st team all NBA honor. He will average 23-10 next season after they trade away SF3 and force him be the man on the team. Yao's previous coach, Yao himself have both indicated in several occasions that he was the focus of offense in China and just a piece of puzzle in this Rockets team.
I think that this is a valid question that needs to be addressed very soon. In about another year or so the Rockets will need to decide whether Yao Ming is worth a maximum contract. I was not happy when they gave Steve the max becaue I didn't believe he was worth it. At this point of his career, Yao hasn't shown enough to justify that he is a max player either. He had some brilliant moments this past season, but was also very inconsistent. On any given night you don't know whether you would have the monster Yao or the pansy Yao. For the Rockets to commit to Yao as our franchise player, this HAS to change. At this point I don't want to rush to a conclusion, but I think that in a year or so this will become a question that we need to have a definite answer on.
Honestly there is no way for him to make 1st team unless some of the other Centers dont' play next year. Yeah he is a good center but Shaq is still Dominant, Wallace Plays Way better Defense, and Jermaine even though plays out of position at Center has a better all around game right now than Yao. Maybe in the future he will have some say in the 1st Team but for now he is stuck where he is at at 3rd team. It's not a Knock on him it's just how good the others are right now. He will be good in years to come. But he has to wait his turn and develop like everyone else did.
i wouldnt add ben in that list, and j o'neal IMo is overated. Lets see Yao PPG 17.5 RPG 9.00 APG 1.5 EFF + 20.57 Ben PPG 9.5 RPG 12.40 APG 1.7 EFF + 19.78 Ben Got reb edge and probably shot blocking to. But other than that nothing. Yao got a better efficiency.
Centers who are obviously better than Yao: Shaq J. Oneil B. Wallace If you count the whole frontcourt, then you need add: KG Duncan Centers who can at least match up well with him: Camby E. Dampier (he averages way more double-double than Yao) Z. Ilgauskas Heck, following centers suck, but Yao can barely show dominance against them : Vitaly Potapenko Jerome James Lorenzen Wright The reason why Yao is valued so high, it is not because he is so good, it is because the center position in NBA sucks, most teams no longer build around centers any more.
hell no is like saying he never will be and yes is saying he is for sure.why couldnt the dude who started this tread put not yet or maybe?I think he wanted to get more of the maybe people to vote yes.cause he for sure is not a franchise player yet. look what happned in the playoffs.
If he can improve his stamina, then definitely. I saw an improvement from last year to this one in that regard, so I don't see why not. He's definitly a stronger candidate for becoming one than is Francis.
just looking at the poll, i could tell it was biased. What kind of poll has two options: Yes and Hell No??? hm....
