Jeff I would just like to add that Ming has stuff he can do to Shaq that other center cannot do as well. Things like taking his game outside.
Jeff, First of all, it's NOT about STOPPING, OR SHUTTING DOWN, OR DEFENDING Shaq, Jordan, Kareem, or anyone else who is great... It's about COMPETING. I can't stand it when people say, "We need to learn how to shutdown <this player or that player>..." Uh, news-flash! The reason that they are great in the first place is that NO ONE can "SHUT THEM DOWN." Now, that said...we need to turn the argument around. Think of it this way...Shaq needs to figure out how to "STOP" Yao. Yes! If you remember back in the Hakeem days, Shaq had a hard time playing against centers that could shoot the 18ft jump shot (and the 3pt shot). That's why complex centers like Hakeem, Sabonis, and Divac have gave Shaq a hard time. Sure, Shaq got 30 points on those players (Even Hakeem), but ask yourself how many points Hakeem, Sabonis and Divac would get on Shaq; how about 35, 25, 21 respectively. Does anyone remember the look on Shaq's face when Shaq would push Hakeem out of the lane only to get a 18ft jump shot right in his face? Shaq had the look of, "How ja do dat?" Shaq could never understand the jumpshot. Even today, when centers shoot the jumpshot over him, he has that same, "Wow-he-just-shot-over-the-Great-Shaq-man-How-dare-him" look. This is what Yao will do to Shaq. Yao will try and "defend" Shaq in the post. At first, Yao will do ok, because of his height. But after Shaq keeps lowering his shoulder into Yao's chest, Yao will back down (That's wha the gym is for!). But, Yao will still be able to shoot over Shaq all game long. And he will be a threat during any game, in that Shaq will have to come out and defend Yao, thus leaving the paint and opening up the lane for Francis and Mobley. I mean, think about it. What if Yao drains 18ft jump shots all game because Shaq wont come out to defend him...sooner or later Shaq will come out from the paint. And that's what Francis and Mobley want. I call Yao, the Anti-Shaq. He's everything that Shaq IS NOT. And then, Shaq will have to figure out how to "SHUTDOWN" Yao. But he wont be able to. He'll have to deal with Yao, not just shun Yao aside like he doesn't matter. Finesse vs Power Ying - Yang
Forget Shaq. Let Cato defend Shaq most of the time. Acquire Mengke Batere or Nene Hilario, or "fill in the blank" big boy, to defend Shaq. No one can stop Shaq, so why wear out one of our best players doing so. Conserve Yao for what he does best, O and shot blocking. Besides, its not like Yao will be playing Shaq every night. This topic is insane, I thought eveyone says he needs time to grow into the game, now the measuring stick of his success is to stop the most dominant player in the NBA. Unbelievable. Yao is a ROOKIE. Have all the so-called experts forgotten this????
Rocks, I think that Jim Rome will like Yao. I mean, think about it. Jim Rome hates cocky players that CAN'T PLAY. He also hates OVERPAID players that aren't holding up their end of the bargain. But, Yao is direct, fundamental, and the real deal! He's also a HARD WORKER! He wants to improve! He wants to get better. I wouldn't say that Yao is humble, not like Hakeem. But he is realistic about his abilities. And Yao will be the first to criticize his own game. I feel that Jim Rome will like Yao from the start. As long as Yao can back-up all this hype. I mean, who else is there besides Shaq that is the "MEASURING STICK?" You watch. The first time that Yao does well against Shaq, everyone wil be saying that Shaq is getting old, or he's past his prime. Even if it's not true. Journalist all over the world are just waiting for that ONE player that can "HOLD HIS OWN" against Shaq. And the moment there is glimpse of that player (Yao), they will run with it!!! If you think that Sacramento press hates Shaq, think about New York and Boston journalist (Sports Illistrated). They can't stand him! And even though the Knicks didn't get Yao, the New York press will would like to see Yao take Shaq down a notch. I mean, who wouldn't besides LA?
