Where would have yao been drafted if yao was in the 2003 draft? I think he would have gone #2 to Detroit.
ESPN chat used to say IF James and Yao are both in draft, It will be interesting on ( I forgot who is the host.) Because both have good maketing value ( james has edge, though) and baketball potential, it will depend on team.
China released Yao to play in the NBA last year only with a guarantee that he would be the first overall pick. It would have been no different this year. He would have been taken first, or he wouldn't have been taken at all.
I think Yao would still have been taken first. Just like Shaq is more valuable than Kobe even though Kobe is an infinitely better basketball player. You just can't be that dominant without being that big. Jordan was the exception but even Jordan would have trouble against Shaq in his prime. Yao will get to the point where he will be unstoppable.
Lebron is more NBA ready, Yao will be better, it's a trade off. Experience says you always go for size (because there won't be another MJ). However, it also depends on what team drafts. Cavs would pick Lebron because quite frankly, nobody can make that team good, so they might as well pick the local boy. Houston would draft Yao, because we have no inside presence.
How can u say a high school player is more NBA ready than a guy thats played proball since he was 17 even though it was in China its a greater challenge than HS ball
Because Lebron has a more NBA ready body. He has all he'll ever need. Yao, on the other hand, needs to put on weight.
Hey, I'm sorry to use your post to start mine , but I'm starting to get the feeling that the "C.B.A." has got the "N.B.A." by the "B.A.L.L.S.". Thank you China. Blatz
being nba ready doesnt stop at someones physical state. its encompasses their maturity, passion, and being able to bring it to the floor game in game out. how will lebron react when hes been pampered and hyped like madness for the last 5 years when he gets fouled hard, doesnt get calls going his way, struggles with his shooting, poor decisions. in those terms, yao is on another level.
I am not surprised at all. Fred Carter has been a believer of Yao since day one. He always have nothing but good to say about Yao Ming. Once when asked to compare Yao with Shaq, Fred Carter said, "Actually if you look at his overall skills, he is better than Shaq. His feel for the game, passing, shooting, etc. It's all right there for him. I have said before they have to build a new Mt. Rushmore of centers and put Ming's face on it. He is very similar to Bill Walton. Ming does everything well. Go Yao!!" I agree he went overboard a little bit. But still I like his enthusiasm
Both are passionate, Yao is definitely more mature, but Yao is further from where he wants to be than Lebron, which is why he'll end up the better player.
