What do you think Yao's stats will be when he reaches his prime?

I have a feeling many of you will be disappointed again with all these expectations.

13 rebounds a game?
Expecting a few seasons of 13 rebounds/game averages is a tad high for someone as unathletic as Yao. It takes tremendous rebounding ability and explosive athleticism to even get close to 13 rebounds a game. Only the best rebounders in the league have been able to get there the past couple years (Wallace, Garnett). A ton of other quality big men like Duncan, Brand, and Webber who aren't quite as athletic as the other two have never even reached the 13 rebound plateau. Moreover, these guys have/had a lot better leaping ability and quickness than Yao will ever have.

35 points a game? Seriously?
Neither Hakeem nor Shaq have even averaged 30 points a game, let alone 35. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar only broke 30ppg in 4 of his 20 seasons...and they all came during his younger years in Milwaukee. He never broke the 35ppg barrier. In a modern NBA setting, where the game has moved away from the dominance of the traditional center...I think I can say with some confidence, Yao will never average 35 points a game.

 

Please remember this reply which you have given, because in a few years I will be bringing it to your attention. You have little faith in YM , you just cant see that this is only the beginning not the middle or the Peak. I expect YM to average about 24pts / game this season and 10.5 rbs/gm. also.Yes that will mean that he will do better than all the centers you mentioned, Just wait and see.[Of course he must remain free from serious injury]Y

 

Hey, if Yao decides to ever average 35/13...more power to him. He can feel free to average 50/20 if he really wants.

It has nothing to do with faith. I'm just keeping my expectations realistic. Don't you think the media's anointing of Lebron James as Jordan-Part Deux is annoying when he has yet to make the playoffs? Sure he's young, but that very fact means it's too early to anoint him as anything yet.

Same thing goes for Yao. Making claims at this juncture that Yao will accomplish things that Hakeem, Shaq, and Kareem never accomplished in their careers is just a bit premature. You're basically saying he'll surpass three of the top five centers of ALL TIME....all of whom were the undisputed king pivot-men of their respective generations.

I just hope you don't become one of those stalwart Yao supporters that suddenly become vehement Yao-haters if he fails to reach those lofty expectations. Well over half the people who're now claiming, "Oh...I always knew he'd break out this season" are the same people who were screaming for his head when we went 0-9 at the beginning of the season after TMac went out.

 

Wow a civil, happy thread. I always hoped Yao would become a 24/12 guy because just him standing around is something in itself.

I don't know now. Are talking about Yao being a mandatory option like Dream? Seriously, Yao's been freaking me out lately so I'm a little paranoid about underestimating him because my expectations seemed so high 4 years ago.

30/10 would seriously freak out the league and it just doesn't seem impossible now. Well I go 26/12 hope and add 6 dimes because that alone would make us a tough team, and because Yao's not going to get 4 blocks and 2 steals a game. I'd really love Yao to become the best passing big man of his generation - unless he starts putting up 35.

He can't do that, er can he? I agree with much of the criticisms about JVG's offensive schemes (and defensive ones too), but outside of personnel it's looking like Yao's just going to have to decide what flavor of ice cream he likes best, and I bet it will magically appear.

Bad times now, but the horizon is pretty damned interesting.

 

lol....30ppg is not possible for a big man in today's nba. teams will make sure you dont get the ball often ... dare your role players to make their shots

 

Almost 10% of the people have actually voted 35/17.

Not even Shaq the MDP has ever come close to post that kind of numbers. It's just crazy.

To put it in perspective, Shaq's best season is 29.7/13.6 in 1999 when the way they called the games was still more favourable to the big men.

 

Over the course of a whole season, I think Yao's capable of about 25 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2 bpg at around 35 mpg in his prime. Might seem modest, given what he's shown the last few weeks, but over the course of a full season I think it's more realistic.

Of course, I'd be quite happy if he can go 30/13 over a season and win MVP, like Shaq.

For those who predict Yao will average well over 30 ppg, do you guys think he'll surpass Hakeem as the Rocket's greatest center assuming he wins some championships along the way as well?

 

I think Yao will average around 27 pts 12 rebs 4 assists 2 blocks in his prime. Heck he's already around that for this month minus the assists.
If we can get some consistent spot up shooters there is no reason to believe that Yao can't get around 4 assists per game considering the amount of attention he draws inside.
If Tmac is healthy and playing during Yao's prime I foresee more assists but less points from Yao. And a championship for the Rockets of course .

 

Hmmm.... you all make good points. I guess as long as Yao averages enough to win us a championship, I don't really care what he produces.

 

And 1 over triple team, again.

 

I am the #1 Yao Ming Fan I have been following him for 7 years and I made my predictions when he joined the Rockets. I am the original YOF which was given to me because I was so against Francis as a player on the Rockets. I have been a Houston Rockets fan for 24 years. I am also in the Yao Movie. I am not one of the persons to whom you refere .Y

 

Yao Ming is averaging 30 points /game since the All Star Game!!!!!