I don't disagree with the rest of your post at all, but... Wilt Chamberlain Bill Russell Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lew Alcindor) (H)Akeem Olajuwon Who exactly are you leaving off that list (just wondering)?
Gutless Prediction(Because if I'm wrong no one will bring this up, but if I'm right, I'll trumpet this forever) : We are going to shred the Lakers on the 17th, and Yao Ming will approach a triple double. Why? The Lakers are so damn lazy on defense, and defensive rotations especially, that Yao is going to be dropping off passes to open players near the hoop all game long.
I don't see Yao being any more of a victim of Shaq than any other center this season. If nothing else, Yao could get in foul trouble and sit the bench. I think he'll do just fine though.
Let's be real. Shaq will NOT embarrass Yao. When was the last time Shaq played against someone taller than him who actually has SKILLS? I'm not talking about Arvydas Sabonis (who at one time HAD skills but is now too old) or Shawn Bradley. Yao Ming will not have to adjust his game to Shaq's. It will be the same for him. He's already playing against 7 footers who are mostly stronger than he is, and he's doing just fine. It is Shaq who will actually have to play defense for a change. Shaq is a terrible off-the-ball defender. The only thing Shaq is good at is barreling over opponents to get off close range shots. On the defensive end, he is a liability. I'm not saying Ming will school Shaq, but Ming will not be embarrassed either. He will have a decent game, and even the "Big Dufus" will have to compliment him after the game.
I have shaq in place of russell. russell was a very, very good player on a great dynasty. russel did not have the offensive game the others did. you could shuffle the 5 centers and it would be justifiable.
Didn't Divac kind of fare OK against Shaq last year in the playoff? Shaq win the battle between the two but if I remember correctly Shaq didn't destroy Divac. I think Shaq had problem defensively with Center that could pass and shoot over the top like Divac. Ming can certainly shoot over the top and pass very well for a big men. I don't think Shaq will destroy Ming like most people said. I think if Yao utilize all his skills (including shooting outside shot ) Shaq might have problem stoppping Yao also. The result might be much closer than people think. I think Shaq can score on Yao but Yao can also score on Shaq. Let hope Yao will bring his A game like he usually does against tough challenges (Dallas, San Antonmio, Pacers).
I just have this feeling that Lakers will not double team Yao and think Shaq can contain Yao 1on1, and Yao will have another strong game over shaq! just like he did for twin towers.
If Yao does this over Shaq, Shaq will punch himself and says :'what the hell is this, where's the ball gone?'
that would be hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! anyways...yao is going to die. Shaq scored double the amount of points...4 more rebounds...and yeah. anyways...Go Yao!!!
Pete Newell called Shaq the best center of all-time...high praise indeed. But he's always behind Hakeem in my book Yao's got nothing to lose in this matchup: If he gets dominated...he's a rookie If he gets in foul trouble...it's the refs If his team loses...it's the guards fault But none of those will happen in this matchup. Shaq's gonna have trouble with Yao's height and athleticism and he'll be surprised by how Yao doesn't back down. Maybe if Shaq was in peak condition but the guy's not...if Yao plays Shaq anywhere close to a standstill, then Shaq is the one embarrassed. Tough for Yao to lose in this situation. Isn't it funny that from now until the All-Star break, it's Shaq who will constantly be answering questions about Yao. Remember in the beginning of the season, it was Shaq saying that Yao was obsessed with him because Yao would bring up Shaq's name. Funny how the media can make someone seem "obsessed."
Come on man, Shaq has to be THE MOST DOMINATE PLAYER EVER! I don't even think Wilt chamberlain could stop this man. I've heard Shaq's weight ranges from 330-370lbs! Trust me when I say this, he is not fat. His arms are cut and he doesn't have a big gut. His calves are toned and his chest is huge! Shaq dominates everywhere he goes, he commands triple and quadraple teams, dunks on anybody in the league. Ming being just human, Ming will be no different to Shaq. Sure shaq might want to prove his dominance to the crowd by bullying around Ming but that doesn't mean the rockets are gonna lose.
Hm... why would Yao lose??? He's got NOTHING to lose... I don't think. So yeah. Yao's not that dumb you guys. And though I love Shaq and everything, Shaq hasn't been doing too well so far. And the Rockets have been doing way better than the Lakers ( ). Ok, so Lakers won DALLAS... but they've been losing a whole lot. Which is saddening. Excuse me, I'll be in the bathroom crying. If Yao loses, then I must've been praying that night! Guys... I still think Yao is really good. I'm sure he'll be fine!!!
I hope Shaq falls over someone's foot (like he does in the opening montage for the Larry David show on HBO), and busts his ass and has to sit out the whole game (or longer). I think Shaq is an overgrown, overfed, oversexed, overhyped "Super-Twerp." Yao goes for 30p/15rb/6a/4blks, solidifying and justifying his starting role on the All Star Team, and the torch is summarily passed...whether Shaq likes it or not
shaq will dominate on offense, but when ming has the ball, he will be fine, im worried bout the ming defense on shaq, no one can stop him if he keeps goin,
People listen carefully. Shaq is a once in a generation physical freak show. He is a man amongst boys even in the best basketball league in the world. He eats up Vlade, goes through Dikembe, dunks on Drob and Tim Duncan, he pushes Sabonis around, who may I remind you is just as big, he played Hakeem to a standstill when Hakeem was in his prime... C'mon people he is a freak and SHOULD put a good butt-whooping on Yao. As well he should, he has been the most dominate player since Jordan (of the bulls) With that said, like someone else posted, everytime people underestimates Yao (before the draft, early in the season, against the Spurs, against the Mavs) he has come out looking good and is humble about it. Even if Yao gets dunked on 10 times and shoots 0-10, I will still be behind him. The kid is the future, no matter what happens in that game. STuart
