Here's my take: This game changes nothing, really. Yao is still the best center in the league (though this could possibly be up for debate with Howard's recent play, but for argument's sake, we will say Yao is the best). However, he is the best center by default. The numbers are certainly there for Yao (or atleast were last year) but he is not in that elite category of centers that were "the best center in the league" during their reign. He is not in the Wilt/Kareem/Hakeem/Shaq category of tier 1 guys. He never will be. That is not an insult on Yao. His lack of athleticism limits him from sheer dominance, but he has made the most of what he has. Anyone that argues that Yao is the best center in the league by any standard other than default either resides in Houston or is delusional. It's hard to evaluate where Yao exactly ranks. I thought I had a grasp on it late last year, but he has regressed in some ways this year. You want to make the case that he is better than Alonzo Mourning and Patrick Ewing were simply due to his offensive abilities, but while those guys weren't as potent, they were never completely taken out of a game like has been so easily done to Yao on numerous occasions this year. Those guys still could impact the game and were in a different league than Yao is defensively. Though Yao is very good defensively, considering his limitations. At the end of the day, it is becoming too easy to expose Yao as a liability. I am hoping this is more a product of him getting acclimated with the new system, but time will tell.
Whats with all the hate on Shaq? I don't get it. The guy his hilarious and is always giving respect to Yao. Say what you want, but he still is the most dominant in the NBA when he wants to be. Players still can't guard him one on one. He was a big reason they beat us tonight. Anyone who thinks he is some over the hill player that can't play anymore is wrong. Just look how easy it was for him to back down Yao and dunk over him like it was Yao's rookie year. If motivated, Shaq is a major force.
Are we gonna start a thread about any team and players that beat us now? I didn't like Shaq because he was a Laker, but don't think much of him now. I'm surprised people still talk about him now as he is slowly becoming irrelevant to the NBA as he gets older.
I've always been a big fan of Shaq, cause he's the NBA's number 1 entertainer. He's not only a great player, but a great person. He's had a wonderful career. I still think Yao is a better center but you gotta love Big Shaq Daddy ! What he did last night was amazing, I wouldn't have thought he still could be that dominant. And against Yao.
you are just one hilarious, smart-assed, attention-whoring egomaniac..(no offense) Donyell Marshall's career numbers: 11.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists championships, allstar, and scoring: NONE Kobe Bryant's career numbers: 24.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists Allstar appearances: 9 Scoring champion: 1 World champion: 3 times ----------------------------------------------------- Yao Ming's career numbers: 18.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.8 blocks per game 2nd round appearances: NONE Shaquille O'Neal's career numbers: 25.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.4 blocks per game championships: 4 Was Shaq playing against Yao when he owned him? YES Was Donyell Marshall playing against Kobe? NO yeah, your analogy makes great sense. You are a genius! attaboy Matchman! I reasoned that the argument against you and your fellow YOFs wasn't going anywhere, so I thought I would save you some embarrassment and decided not to post again in that thread.. HOWEVER, since you insisted, your ownage is waiting for you in the trade Yao thread.. yeah, trust me, I didn't run away because your post totally made sense and I couldn't find anything to counter your argument with (if you indeed call that incoherent nonsense of yours an "argument")..
Oh, Shaq is still quite relevant. As far as I'm concerned, only Yao Ming is better than O'Neal, with Dwight Howard closing in.
Oh? Career numbers? By that logic, Robert Parish was one of the best centers in the league in 1996. We're talking about RIGHT NOW, pal. You'd take Shaq's 16 and 7 for the season over Yao's 22 and 10? Why, exactly? And if you wanna talk about one game proving anything, talk to Tony Delk. Why don't you ask him if he ever scored 50 points in a game again, eh? You start this thread and call SOMEONE ELSE a "smart-assed, attention-whoring egomaniac"? Get the hell over yourself.
