Shaq is MDE, Yao is a GC while Shaw Bradley is a C

Yao is new to America, where we have the best nutiritionists, strength and conditioning coaches, best workout equipments, etc.

That is my hope that Yao can improve his athleticism. He shows flashes of it at times, but he needs to be able to do it for 40 mins a game.

 

2 years' time? How? during the summer? not a chance. He has NT team's duty to fulfill.

During the season? maybe, but everybody knows that players development happens during off-seasons. Anyway, Yao's upside is limited given these constraints. He is not going to be a Shaq. Hopefully he can be as good as David Robinson or Ewing.

Defense, strength will come eventually. But Yao apparently needs a go-to move besides his jump-shot. His jump-shot is not consistent. He nees to add a go-to post move, a sky hook or something. He needs to find the time to do it, but where can he find the time?

 

When have big men ever been finished products at age 22?

 

Shawn Bradley. He was picked as a top 3 player. He slacked off, fulfilling his OTHER obligations for a couple of years. He never worked hard or properly during the summer.

Yao is much better than Bradley, but will he have the opportunity to improve himself during the summer?

 

Please...don't ever compare Yao to Bradley ever again.

 

Exactly...

Do you remember when Hakeem spanked Shaq in Orlando...

Shaq was inexperienced and didn't have what he has now...a good supporting cast and experience...

Yao will get better, just remember, he's a rook and for the first time, in a foreign country, trying to fulfill all of his committments...

 

Shaq didn't have a good supporting caste in Orlando?

I'd say his supporting caste there was as good or better to the one he has now. That makes what he's doing now all the more impressive.

Penny Hardaway (before he sucked), Dennis Scott, Horace Grant... lots of useful players.

Now, sure... he has Kobe. But I have trouble believing that another player on the Lakers would get serious minutes on the Kings or Mavs.

 

Shawn Bradley is a C? Does C stand for "Crap"?

 

EXACTLY! Anyone who thinks a player can't improve beyond their 25th birthday is rediculous. Hakeem had ALL the tools when he started in the league, but couldn't put it ALL together until 94. I'm not saying Hakeem wasn't great between 84 and 94, but he wasn't what Shaq is now until 94 when he AND his supporting cast put it all together (what was Hakeem then, 30? 32?).

Yao WILL get better. Don't forget this is his FIRST year in this country, city, league.... if the NT gives Yao a little more rest this summer and he gets more than half a training camp, the improvement he'll show next year will AMAZE both the posters on this board and the national media. I'm going on the record right now and saying that next year, Yao will become an 18 pts, 11rebs, 4 assists, 2.5 blks kind of center and will continue to improve until he hits his 30's.