I'm using Muresan as an example because he is even slower than Yao and the lack of quickness has been the main argument against Yao. And they have similar height advantage over Hakeem.
Dr of Dunk is probably on the page as you: Yao will get his numbers. But that doesn't mean anything unless Yao could win Rockets rings.
Yao's size is the best defense Yao has. Yao is not an athletic freak of nature in the sense he's going to come flying from all angles to block shots like Hakeem. But when you have a 7'6" 310 lbs. monster in the middle, he's going to change shots. Interesting point : Hakeem, even at the end of his career, when asked who was the toughest player he had to play during his career, didn't say Kareem or Shaq or Robinson... he said Mark Eaton. Simply because Mark Eaton was a huge man and incredibly powerful presence in the paint. For those that don't remember, Eaton was around 7'4" and 290-300 lbs. Very similar in size to Yao, but I think Eaton was far stronger. But like I said, Hakeem eventually did adjust his game to get around (literally) the big boys.
Not sure if Mark Eaton is far stronger than current Yao. Does he have Yao's legs? Shaq said Yao is the strongest player he ever faced even before this year. That might mean something. So Hakeem basicly had trouble against size + strengh, just like Yao has troulbe against quickness. Hakeem eventually adjusted, Yao is getting better and better against quickness now. Size and quickness usually go against each other, unless the guy's name is Shaq.
I'm not even applying logic. I'm not even against Yao. I'm just showing facts for the discussion. The facts are: Hakeem is the #1 PF or C in playoff history for ppg ... including Amare.
Nah, I've never attributed the amount of rings a player has as some tie-breaker in the "who was better" battle. Which is one reason I'd take Wilt over Russell. Yao can end up with 0 rings and in my mind still become a better center than Hakeem. The problem with that ever happening is this : at his prime Hakeem was flat-out unstoppable on offense. At Yao's best he's flat-out unstoppable on offense. Both are defensive monsters in the paint - Hakeem simply with his athleticism, quickness, and explosiveness and Yao with sheer size. I just don't think that you can put Yao on a PF like you could Hakeem. I don't think you'll ever see Yao run down guards and steal the ball like Hakeem. Hakeem is and will probably always be the better defender and I think ultimately both will be a wash offensively in terms of "unstoppability". I like these discussions simply because it allows people not to forget some of the greats of the game - especially Rockets. For example, it's easy to say Lebron James is the next heir-apparent to Michael Jordan. In reality, Lebron James should aspire to be the next Magic Johnson because there has been no better scorer/floor general in the league in the last 30 years with the possible exception of MJ. By the same token, it's easy to say Yao vs. Hakeem would be close or not close, but if you've watched Hakeem play, you'll know you're probably talking about one of the 5 or so greatest big men to play the game. One day Yao may make it up there - I just don't think he's there yet and if he's not there yet, then he's not better than Hakeem. By the end of his career, I'm hoping we can say 2 of the top 5 centers of all time played most of their careers for the Rockets (3 if you count Moses Malone).
Great players would eventually figure out their 'stoppers' and become unstoppable again. Talking about zone defense, I think it does affect bigmen's game a lot. But if Hakeem had to face it from the beginning, he should be able to figure it out.
"destroy Yao with Ease"?? Give me a break. you guys are unbelievable. Shaq couldn't destory rookie Yao 5 years ago! You guys think dream is 5 times better than 28-year old Shaq?!! wake up! 2007 is coming!
Good, you get my point - 1 or 2 games does not make a defense for anything. An entire career's worth of games does.
Hakeem faced nothing but zones in college. I don't think they had an effect on him. And that was before he even had any offense other than "the dunk".
Sure. Once a player becomes great, he just won't be dominated again, no matter what defense is applied. Hakeem would have figured out. That's why I also believe Yao won't get dominated by anyone. He is becoming great now, even though not at Hakeem's level yet.
Sure. But it's still better than drawing conclusion that Yao would get destroyed easily without any evidence even though Yao is destroying everyone he faces right now.
Hmm... if you're talking about the first game, which game did you watch? Shaq : 31 pts, 13 rebs Yao : 10 pts, 10 rebs (throw in 6 blocks if you want) Sorry, Yao was beaten up by a 30 year old Shaq, not the 28 year old one you watched. Yao was great for the first few minutes of the game, but was essentially obliterated as the game went on.
If you ask outside of rocket fans, Kareem is likely considered a better center than Hakeem. If Yao is even close to Kareem, Rockets will be a dynasty.
Whew. Nice thread that brings back some memories of a damn great center and daydreams of another damn great center. Both Rockets. I've said what I needed to say - I'll let you guys battle it out now. lol.
Man Shaq at his prime was probably the most feared player in NBA history, just so big, strong, and atheletic.
