A lot of the folk on this board moan that commentator discussions on dominant big men rarely include Yao. However, it's not just racism, and it's not likely to change. It's too bad, because I don't think there's a tougher (mentally), more skilled big man in the game today. I think a working definition of a "dominant" big man would mean a) great stats, b) ability to get the ball and do something w/ it whenever they really want to, and c) never look silly. Yao has (a), or at least near it. 26 and 11 is pretty good, and is getting quite near the Shaq/Hakeem glory years. (b) is a problem. Yao isn't mobile enough to get entry passes like shaq and hakeem could. Double and triple teams can effectively take him out the game. Would hakeem, in his prime, ever accept an 11-shot night? (c), though, is the killer. Sometimes he just looks silly. He hasn't landed on his butt while trying to define a guard in the open court lately, but he goes down regularly near the hoop. Guards (pesky little guys) batted the ball out of hands two possessions in a row last night and Eton Thomas (!) batted entry passes away countless times last night. Through three quarters, it was a cringe-worthy performance for Yao-lovers like me. Then McGrady went down, Thomas turned his ankle, and Yao looked like Hakeem again. But you can't be dominant part of the time....
You've made some good points. But really, I don't think we'd mind it in the end if we won championships with Yao, but that once in awhile he'd look 'silly'. Dude is 7'6 -- it happens. And with regards to the entry pass situation, I think it's not entirely his fault. With Shaq, even during his prime years in L.A., the complaint is also that he never gets the ball as much as he should. Of course, Shaq had better entry passers. AS for Yao, he needs to (and will) improve on his post-up decision making and passing out of double teams. Sometimes he needs to take more time to get a feel of what the defense will do. Those will reduce his turnovers.
Is the idea of "the most dominant player" a loser's idea? IF I am wrong, correct me please. In my short memory, I think it is Shaq who created the MDP idea around year after Jordon return from his first retiement. Shaq already went to the final, but swept by Hakeem. So Shaq was very good for sure. But he is not the best player, not even the best center. He is so desperated to show off himself. He created the idea MDP. What's that mean? The MDP here means "the strongest or most powerful but limited skilled player". Shaq is a greater player but not competitive. He can't win until the Dream Generation gone. Creating the idea of MDP showed his charactor. By the way, I read once some fans in other forum discussed "strongest" player in NBA today. many name mentioned, but nobody mentioned YAO once. It really showed how poor undersatnding the game for most od fans. Yao is the strongest player right know. Other than Shaq. Nobody can one-on-one defend him. Shaq can't defend yao anymore. But Yao is only man who can defend shaq one-on-one now. Yao can match shaq's power. Even though Yao is not quick enough to be a great blocker, he does change shot a lot. I think his defense is underestimated right now. In sports, media and fans value athelit way more than skills. I think that's why they keep criticizing and denying Yao. It's not about racism or anything else. But Coachs and Players value only winning. See DT doesn't get praise as much as Shaq and KG even though he's more successful than them in public. shawn Battier is only a good or great role player, But Swift has great potential. That's the bias.
I think some people here need to shut up and quit whining & moaning about Yao not getting enough props and just enjoy his breakout season. We are 14-6, Yao is dominant, so give it up. The respect issue is getting more tired with every game we play. That's just my take on it. I believe in free speech. Carry on.
AMEN. I agree 100%. Some are actually making racism claims on the most trivial of snubs... it's so ridiculously tired by now.
Do not get me wrong! OP is not moaning that yao did not receive props he deserves. OP is nitpicking yao's problems while he had a dominant night
these are the negativity that we don't need. obviously yao steped up when mcgrady is down, and he showed how much he wants the ball and how pumped up he was after he made the shot. what more do you want? last time i checked, the reason yao doesn't try to dominate the ball is because of tmac, who scored 28 b4 he leaves.
Not sure who OP is, but Yao did not have a dominant night, he had a dominant quarter against Calvin Booth. However, it was a night that showed how much better he is than a couple of years ago. Through three quarters he looked done in, whether because of the back-to-back or because Thomas constantly laying the wood on him. But when Thomas went down Yao seriously went to work. Yes, it was against 3rd and 4th string centers, but it was a great quarter to watch. He was able to get deep position against the scrubs and would immediately turn and shoot. Best of all, he was able to do this at the end, despite being beat up. A spin and an eight-foot-shot, nothing but net, when the lead was down to one point w/ only a single possession left. As far as I recall, only 2 of the 23 4th quarter points came on dunks. The rest were eight-foot shots w/ big guys hanging all over him, plus a few foul shots. On another topic, Tracy looked great before the injury. He was taking it to the hole w/ regularity. Too good to last...
OP means original poster. that is you. Please do not use that misleading title!!! Change it to:" Calm down guys, Yao only have a dominant quarter vs scrubs center." If you want to show something negative, please get it straight.
When Yao plays for a conference championship, or a league championship. Who cares...he is playing graet...I will take the wins....forget the respect. DD
It's more like people's mentality to cling to the past Keep comparing today's stars to the old schoolers. Which is, to be honest, dumb at times. Why must people keep being compared to old stars instead of making a name for themselves? The samething here is with Yao He can be good He can be the best big man in the league Yet people will keep saying that today's big men are all weak and therefore Yao is not impressive. When in reality, even during the era of dominant big men, you can can count them all with one hand at the most.
God, You guys cannot read from the lines? ctseng0 said:"Guards (pesky little guys) batted the ball out of hands two possessions in a row last night and Eton Thomas (!) batted entry passes away countless times last night." & "Then McGrady went down, Thomas turned his ankle, and Yao looked like Hakeem again. But you can't be dominant part of the time...." Ctseng0 is NOT complaining and moaning about the respect yao deserves. He is saying that Yao's dominant stats in last game is misleading. What he wanted to say is: "Calm down guys, Yao only had a dominant 4th quarter vs. wizard's scrub centers." As I said, Ctseng0, if you want to show something negative, please get your point straight.
Did Hakeem ever face double/triple coverage without the ball? I don't think so, correct me if I'm wrong. Getting the ball is the first part of the play, and it's harder with todays NBA rules. Yao is still no Hakeem, but the game is a bit different.
