Hakeem played some face up beyond 15 feet, but never in the low block where he was undersized at 6'10". Yao could play face up more I'd think since he can just shoot over players. I'd expect to see that as he matures a bit more. Anyway, rosen was off on a few points - but generally about Yao being an elite center....well relative to the field Yao is the best Center, but against a young shaq??? Still, even if Yao isn't amongst the all time 10 great centers, he's probably number 11. And that's still pretty awesome. I don't here people saying Ewing was a better center then Yao... He's right about Yao's turnovers...but he's wrong in that it's caused by his high-dribble, it's caused by the fact that he takes too much times and moves a bit slow with the ball. But for a guy his size, he does seem to get around a lot of other centers on the low-block. Defensively....well, with his shot blocking skills he doesn't need all that much quickness, he can get beaten and still force misses. Although at times he lets himself get beaten too easily. Anyway, Yao is Yao - probably hasn't reached his peak but still, good enough I think. T-mac may never be the same player - but that might be a plus in the long run. I think this guy Rosen is judging Yao and T-mac based on their past and not their present. If these two players were really that bad, how does he call the Rockets "underacheiving".
This is r****ded. Why do people always bring up Shaq or Hakeem. Yao is neither and never will be but yet he is the best player at his position. What more do you want. And McGrady, yeah ok, I think I rather have Jordan starting at the two and how about Stockton at the one. Because you know, Rafer ain't no Stockton.
Prime Hakeem vs. Prime Yao would be a lot of fun to watch. Hakeem never faced a guy as big and talented as Yao. Yao never faced a guy in Hakeem's neighborhood. Yao, win five championships and we will be forced to love you more than Hakeem.
Hakeem was great, and I tend to agree with you but put them one on one and bigger centers usually brought Hakeem back down out of the rafters. Compare it to Utah's Mark Eaton vs Hakeem. He use to give Hakeem fits at times, and Yao can shoot better than him.
