[SINA] Yao: within a decade, tradtional centers will die out like dinosaur

I agree, it's the rules. But more importantly the rules were used to be a "quick fix" to the lack of shooting skills in the NBA. The only reason the rules are the way they are now is because very few players in the league can shoot. The game is becoming just dunks, layups and free throws these days. Gets the scoring up but there really is no skill left.

 

So so true! My god some of you are like headhunters and blow every little thing way out of proportion. Yao style of play would be a lot more effective if they get rid of the zones and call the old Illegal D again. Back then no way you can front little guys like Nejara and be effective against Yao because the helpout defenders cannot cheat the way they do now.

 

Since when did "traditional center" start meaning unathletic big stiff. I think when most people say they want a center they want more than Shawn Bradley.

Yao isn't a tradition center, he's more athletic and taller, than most any center ever. Shaq isn't a traditional center, he's bigger and stronger than anyone. Hakeem wasn't a traditional center, he had speed and footwork. Tim Duncan isn't, he's got an ability to shoot the outside shot.

But will unathletic big stiffs always be necessary to guard their more athletic brethren? Of course. Even if they only act as enforcers, such as the Sonics' big men.

And big men will remain overpaid, because they provide size, and as we all know, you can't coach size. I don't see them going anywhere as long as there are talented big men in the league.

 

I like these kinds of topics.

If Yao wants to talk about the "traditional" center than he probably shouldn't be talking about himself (Is he?) because the "traditional" centers role back in the day was focused on two things, defense and rebounding, not scoring. Bill Russell was the greatest "traditional" center in that sense and Ben Wallace is the best now-a-days, people want to talk about changing rules to make scoring more difficult for these guys but it really shouldn't matter, centers are supposed to make huge impacts without scoring. I don't think it's dying, it's weak and scoring from that position is becoming less and less of a factor, but it's still the most important position in the game and obviously the hardest position for teams to find someone good at.

The next great center coming up is supposed to be that Greg Oden (spelling?) kid, he's focusing his game on defense and rebounding with only a handful of offensive post moves and no jump shot to speak of. To me, that's GREAT hopefully he stays that way and doesn't worry too much about offense, perfect a couple of moves and that's it, he'll still be the number 1 pick based on size, athleticism, defense and rebounding. IMO, that guy can change the league if he's successful and becomes popular, no more centers caring so much about scoring over defending and rebounding like the guy they look up to, Shaq.

You will win that way, you won't get much glory (no high lights on ESPN) but you will get paid and you will win, Ben Wallace has a max contract and just won a championship that way. Dikembe Mutombo is one of the more underrated (should go to the Hall of Fame) players of his time, in his best years he was capable of taking a team to the playoffs and out of the first round almost every year, the guy usually doesn't score a basket without travelling but he still carried his teams with defense and rebounding.

The "scoring" center is a dying breed I don't see any problem with that, it can go away it's just part of the evolution of the game.

 

Teams play to their strengths.

If you don't have a powerful post up player, then go with speed.

 

Yao: "it 's a apparent trend in today's NBA to forcus more on SPEED (rather than power). The strategy of mainly relying on (traditioal, powerful) center to score in the paint is outdated. If this trend continues, within a decade, the (traditional) center position will die out like dinasours".

He's really implied scoring centers and did not literally say traditional once. Even though I get what you guys are trying to say, I just think people are over-analyzing the comment and misunderstanding his point.

 

uh, no. yao is wrong. the game has been dominated by big men for years...for a reason...they get higher percentage shots BECAUSE of their size and proximity to the the basket. it's a very simple game made overly complex. watch the playoffs...watch the success of shaq. guys aren't getting smaller...they're getting bigger and stronger. i don't think we're gonna end up with a bunch of centers not playing the low post.

it concerns me he thinks this...that he's embracing this.