USA Today-Stoudemire's strengths stand out now, but future is Yao

Stoudemire's strengths stand out now, but future is Yao
By David DuPree, USA TODAY

This week's question was who's going to be better, Yao Ming or Amare Stoudemire, and I am as torn between the two as readers appear to be. Stoudemire has had a more profound, immediate impact playing power forward, the new glamour position in the NBA, but Yao is 7-5 and could dominate his position for a long time.

Rockets C Yao Ming (with ball) scores two of his 11 points over Suns F Amare Stoudemire (bottom) during a 102-96 victory in Houston earlier this month.
By David J. Phillip, AP

Though most experts thought he might develop into another Rik Smits, it has become clear he could eventually be more like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Stoudemire is a true power forward. He's big, strong, loves to run and looks and acts like he is having fun. What is there not to like?

Nevertheless, I take Yao.

Yao appears to have hit the rookie wall lately, but he has been playing for the last 20 months without any significant break and has to be exhausted. Also, he hasn't had the luxury of an NBA training camp.

A new culture, a new language and a game that is new to him have been a lot to digest. The demands on his time for interviews, promotions and endorsements also have affected him, taking away from his ability to concentrate on nothing but the game itself. Next season we will see what he can really do.

Curtis Clank of San Diego takes Stoudemire. "I believe Amare has the edge and will always play above and beyond Yao Ming for this reason alone — intensity! Amare simply wants the ball more."

I agree with that assessment right now, but as Yao gets more comfortable with the NBA game, he will demand the ball more.

"Stoudemire is having a greater impact on the game than any straight-from high schooler since Moses (Malone)," said Steve Brown of Upper Marlboro, Md. "But even if he becomes the best power forward in the league, he won't be head and shoulders above the competition at his position like Yao will be as his game develops."

J.B. Delano of Philadelphia has the same concerns about Stoudemire as a number of people have voiced. "He could be one of the best power forwards to have played the game," Delano said. "His only obstacle would be himself. If he manages to stay away from the bad habits and perils to which other young athletes have succumbed to."

Next week: Which NBA team do you feel has the best public image, and which one has the worst?

Readers can match wits with USA TODAY's David DuPree by e-mailing him at oneoneonewithdupree@usatoday.com. Tell him your opinion on next week's question, then check Tuesday's newspaper for responses. Please include your name, city and state.


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