Yao is the better overall player now (2006-2007). If our roster is healthy, Yao is also the more valuable singular player. Now with a roster missing Wells (3rd best scorer, physical big 2/3) and Snyder (3rd best 2/3 and physical swingman) but otherwise healthy (Deke, Howard, Hayes in the 4/5 rotation), yes Tmac is a bigger loss than Yao. Our whole new additions (Battier, Snyder, Wells) IMO was designed to take loads of various responsibilities off Tmac. Tmac has done a great job of late taking up slack on multiple levels (scoring, playmaking, rebounding, defending)due to injuries. But in the big picture, with a health roster 12 deep, Yao is the most central player. But we also need a healthy Tmac plus most of our other parts to be a title contender.
This thread actually is about the debate between Yao fans and TMac fans on who is the leader of this team right now and in the future. Both sides have their legimate evidence: As for TMac, he came to Houston as one of the best players in the league, and still arguably the best player in the team right now; On the other side, Yao has exceeded the expectations of most Rockets fans here and still shows room to grow, which is more exciting than his current status. I would say peace until they win a title for Houston, which is quite a reasonable expectation this year if they stay healthy, in spite of JVG's poor on-court coaching
Did I miss out on a book that says only one player can lead a team, only one player can be a team leader??? I really dont recall reading any rule like that! you YOF and TOF can say anything you want but I think no I know this is Tmac's and Yao's team and just to make it even I'll say it the other way also This is Yao's and Tmac's team. This team can't go anywhere without Tmac playing and this team can't go anywhere without Yao playing. Just cuz we won 5 games in a row w/o Yao against teams with bad record deosn't mean anything. This thread is stupid and ppl actually arguing who is the leader of this team are stupid. End of Discussion!!!
WTF is this s***? You guys are comparing a center to a guard, and I agree, this thread is r****ded(no offense to the OP), considering 4 of the 5 wins are from sub .500 team. If you guys don't know the role of a dominant center/guard combo, go watch some old tape of the Lakers's championship years. To put it simple for you so called fans, Shaq kept it close and Kobe was the closer. Thats their job! Just b/c T-Mac could win more last second or is able to take over at the end better then Yao don't mean sqaush! If Yao was in the game, most game wouldn't even be close at the end. Shaq rarely win games for the lakers though he was more dominant, but it was mostly Kobe that did the most damage at the end of games and having a good role player helps but you don't see Lakers fan b****ing about who's better or more valuable or whatever. Both T-Mac and Yao works diffrently on the court, with or without each other. If someone put a gun to my head and I had a choice to make, I'd give a slight edge to T-Mac only by default b/c his position allows him to keep the ball away from Rafer. With that said, they both are equally valuable to the team. Lock this up!
We can't beat many quality opponents without a full squad, that much is clear. Heck, even with a fully healthy lineup we're not doing all that great against the good teams. This is going to be a brutal stretch of games, good thing we have that 8-game cushion, I have a feeling we might be using all of it before Yao gets back.
