He led the league in rebounding twice (1989, 1990) and shot–blocking three times (1990, 1991, 1993). In the 1993-94 season he became the only player in NBA history to win the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP), Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP awards in the same season. In 1996, Olajuwon assisted in the gold medal-winning performance of the United States national team and was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. He ended his career the league's all-time leader in blocked shots. The 1989-90 season...Olajuwon put up one of the most productive defensive seasons by an interior player in the history of the NBA. He won the NBA rebounding crown (14.0 per game) again, this time by an even larger margin; a full two rebounds a game over David Robinson, and led the league in blocks by averaging a stellar 4.6 per game. To put that in perspective as of 2007, he is the only player since the NBA starting recording blocked shots in 1973-74 to have averaged 14+ rebounds per game and 4.5+ blocked shots per game in the same season. In doing so, he joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton to become the only players in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding and shot blocking in the same season. Olajuwon also recorded a quadruple-double during the season, becoming only the third player to do so. YOU MUST LEARN Jordan didn't do that stuff...
I am one of the biggest, if not the biggest, Yao supporters! I defend the guy's talent, hustle, and work ethics to Laker fans all the time. The same Laker fans that have been spoiled by great centers like George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabber, and Shaquille O'Neal. But even I cannot argue that Yao has seen true physical play down low. Yes, the new defensive rules do make it harder to get an entry-pass into the lane, but you annot say that today's game is physical. That proves you did not grow up watching the NBA. My favorite position in basketball is the center position and I have seen tons of old footage/games of Russel, Moses, Hakeem, Ewing, Robinson, Mourning, and Jabber. Those are physical low post games. If you want to truly see a physical game, then go watch the Knicks v. Heat match-ups because those are easy to find on Youtube. You will see Ewing and Mourning beating the crap out of each other!
Yes for your information I am a PURE ROCKETS FAN! That is why I walk around Lakerland supporting my Rocket red proudly! That is why I go to Laker/Clipper games in all Rockets gear and trash-talk with hostile, yet quite friendly, Laker/Clipper fans! That is why I go to a BJ's Brewhouse in all Rockets gear when the play the Lakers and when T-Mac hits a three to tie the game and Yao hits a turnaround to put the nail in the coffin, I stand up proudly and showcase my Rockets jersey! So please do call me a PURE ROCKETS FAN!
Then how come a softie like 2.21 m (7 ft 3 in) Sabonis beat the crap of Davis Robinson in 1988? Yao is as physical as 310 lb.
Yao is in foul trouble any way. He is used to that too. It sounds like there is nothing really different, except that he could get the entry pass and shoot over the top of the opposing centers.
Except that they are different positions, and that Dream is better... I can almost agree with you... Dream was better. I know. I was alive, and an adult during both of their careers. I hardly missed a game by either. WGN on cable (Chicago games) and my local TV to see the Rockets... I saw it all unfold. Try just being a little educated next time you try and debate about Yao's worth, vs. our defending of Dream, or Dream vs. Jordan. Yao may come around to be in the same category... time only will tell. I hope he does. I hope it's with the Rockets.
BTW- Thanks for the all-nighter... I gotta get to bed for a couple hours... I have work tomorrow (today)! It was fun... sorry about the "idiot" comment.
Furthermore, I never have called Sabonis a softy! When have does words ever been typed under my username? Sabonis was banging against Shaq (who was in his prime) at the end of his career and holding his own ground! I loved Sabonis' game and my father (who saw Sabonis play in Russia) told me stories of how good he was. So why would I doubt Sabonis. In addition, I have never labeled Yao a softy! The guy gets beat down by two guys every night. All I said was that the current state of the NBA is not as physical as the 1980s/1990s and that Yao would probably have trouble. I don't think you understand how good Hakeem truly was. Imagine Amare Stoudamire's athleticism, Carlos Boozer's jump-shooting, Mutumbo's defense (times 10), and Muhammad Ali's footwork! Then you can understand how good Hakeem was. When you get a move named after you, then you are truly great. When everyone calls a certain move under your name (ie Dream Shake), then you are great! Is there a Jordan shake any where?
Jordan is better. Dream was unlucky to be in the same era. Yao's legacy on NBA would be probably just the best 7-5 or higher ever. I feel like ROX would trade him away sometime in the future. It could be just both sides cannot reach a deal. Yao wouldn't have much legacy on ROX.
Furthermore, the famous dunk Jordan did from the freethrow line was called the "Dr. J." Hahahahaaaaaa... G'night
Rockets fans don't hate Yao. But there are a few morons (and could well be the same moron) who come to this board just to hate for whatever gay reason that they have. These morons would tell you they were Rockets fans but anyone with half a brain could tell that they are fake. These morons are parasites of this board. Rofflesaurusholz, ekim, Starscream...could well be the same coward who chooses to waste his sorry life by hating on a basketball player on an internet forum when hiding behind his monitor.
It seems that Amare just needs to work on his defense (especially blocking shots) to be another Dream. That doesn't impress me much. Sabonis is like Yao (as yao said himself). Either physical nor not, he plays in a different style. As physical as it was, a skill-full 7-6 was going to be very effective.
Anyone who argues that Yao has not improved the Rockets is a moron! But I believe that the people here have not mentioned that Yao makes the Rockets weaker. It was Ikarus who tried to degrade the Rockets! How can having the best center in the league not make you a better team? And for those who argue Howard or Bynum, I say you need more then 1 season of production to get that title. You must also understand that the Rockets have surrounded Yao, even at the expense of their future, so that the could help Yao and the organization get a title. I don't understand why Ikarus thinks that Yao is under-appreciated by the Rockets, Rocket fans, and management. Is that was the case, then the Rockets would not have traded the beloved Steve Francis to try and build around Yao!
Please stop replying because you are losing whatever credibility you might have had and are not just sounding very unintelligent. Amare does not have the Dream's footwork, defense, defensive presence, or shooting touch. He doesn't even have the Dream's killer mentality. So please stop being blasphemous and stop trying to put the Dream and Amare in the same category! You sir are turning out to be a NBA Homer!
