If Yao starts in this league for a good 16-17 years, do you think he could crawl up behind or even pass hakeem as the NBA's all-time shots blocked leader? I mean, Even Shawn Bradley started out blocking 3-4 shots per game till he ended up a bench warmer. Yao Ming in the other hand has a greater upside then Bradley and could start most games in his career. Just imagine, Yao and Eddie still on the Rockets 10 years from now. Hakeem would be the Rockets all-time shots blocked leader, and Yao and Eddie would come close at 2 and 3 racing each other for number 1. Im crazy.
It's tempting to compare the two players so early in his development, but Olajuwon is one of the top 10 or 15 players ever to set foot on the hardwood. The guy is in the top 5 (maybe 3) all time in centers with players like Chamberlin, Russell, Jabar, etc. If Yao does HALF that well, he will be an amazing player. We just all need to be patient with him for the moment.
*Slap*Slap* *punch**spills hot coffee on your lap!!*That's what you get you Ming hater!! *kick* *pow* *konks your head* Evil monkey!!!
IMO, Yao is far more polished and advanced at this stage then Hakeem was. But, Hakeem was obviously a basketball prodigy. I see the same in Yao; the coaches have always said that he will learn this stuff very quickly. Putting that size w/ that athleticism is sick. He will alter more shots than he will block, which serves the same purpose-missed FG. So, say a ball does get by him................Eddie Griffin
??? Did you see Hakeem play in his rookie season? The guy was a freakin' beast. He averaged 23 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks per game AS A ROOKIE!!! There has never been, to this point, as great an ATHLETE at center than Dream. There have been better physical specimens (Wilt, Shaq), more polished players (Jabar) but no one with as much athletic skill as Dream.
Jeff, I think you chose an appropriate term in "beast". I remember watching Hakeem during his first year or so in the league. I specifically remember that his body had not filled out yet and he was much more explosive than he was in the mid to late 90s. Even when he began to bulk up and lose that "young explosiveness", he made up for it by developing instint. Hakeem was a great one on one defensive player, but Ive always thought he was a better team defensive player. I cant remember how many teams he would block a player's shot, other than his own man. Looking back at his whole career, it appears that Hakeem had three of the most important factors when it comes to shot blocking: height, agility and instinct.
The scary part is that Hakeem became so much more polished. You have good points, obviously. Man, I just want to think that Yao can be even better than him when it's all said and done. I think he can. I don't want to hear any responses about how he hasn't even played a game yet either. Some have been saying that if he were coming out of UH, there would be more fanfare and excitement for him, than there was for Hakeem. Time will tell.
Olajuwon was a fierce competitor, but it was his maturity that won him the championship. Yao seems very mature already. All he needs is one go to move. Anybody remember cringing when Olajuwon would take that damn fadeaway as a rookie. He couldn't make that shot for nothin.... Then, without notice, he couldn't miss it.
I think Yao has the skills and obviously, Hakeem and he play the same position so its easy to compare. However, Hakeem is by far, the greatest player in Rockets history. Not only that, we have a tradition of other geat big men also. Its popular right now for people to root for Yao to exceed Hakeem's greatness. We just have to remember that those are VERY big shoes to fill and its unrealistic to think that anyone will ever top the success Hakeem had here. Ultimately, the best thing for Yao would be for him not to shoot for the level of Hakeem's greatness, but to work towards establishing his own legacy, separate from Hakeem's. There would be more fan fare for Yao if only because the NBA and basketball in general, is alot more mainstream and commercialized than it was when Hakeem came out.
Good point on the evolvement of the media towards sports in general. I asked this question once before, nobody gave an answer.......What center over 7'4" was more athletic and had more potential than Ralph Sampson? (I say potential because we never truly saw what he could do with those knees). Yao is legit. Like you say, he will establish his own legacy, seperate than Hakeem. We have been blessed with great centers here.
I hate to compare players, but if you had to compare Yao to anyone, Sampson might be the closest skill wise. I dont think Yao has the ball handling skills that Ralph had, but hes probably already stronger. Sampson didnt earn the nickname "stick" for nothing. lol Alot of people may disagree with me, but I think if Yao enjoys early success, hell be somewhat stuck in Hakeem's shadow especially if we are able to contend for championships. The comparisons, im sure, will come early and often and I think that will be very unfair to Yao because all players are subject to different learning curves.
Yao likely won't be quite like Dream in a lot of ways appreciate him for what he is and what he will be. Obviously he won't be as fast, but also remember what kind of backcourt Yao Ming has supporting him and creating for him. In fact his biggest asset is that he will fit in marvelously into the system, to add to that I think that Cato just might come around into being what we always envisioned that he could be. Think of that jumper, shot-blocking ability, fluidity, and grace that this man has and appreciate it. Dream however was just raw, he was the man and loved to fly all over the place just the opposite of what Yao Ming is.
History ain't over. I love Hakeem as much as the next guy, but I have no problem hoping that Yao surpasses him as the greatest Rocket. And when Yao retires, I hope the guy that replaces him surpasses his accomplishments.
Thank you, that is the point I have been trying to make. Records are meant to be broken, and legends are meant to be 'top standards' to whom others can be compared. I want this "Ming Dynasty" slogan to be the main motto.
This is like those "Kobe better than/another Jordan" beer banterings. Yao has big shoes to fill if he's ever to be compared to Dream, and I think right now, Yao has the luxury of not being thrown to the wolves completely. When Dream was racking up those monster stats, he was primarily the star through a good number of those years. Yao has Franchise and Mobley to back him up offensively. This is mostly conjecture, but I feel that our current roster makes it so that Yao has that comfort zone to play in, so he might not explode consistently across the boards. Because he doesn't have that feel of consistency, all his stats and numbers won't perform as insanely as Dream had over the years. Most players feed their defence based on how well they perform offensively. Yao might end up in foul trouble on a bad night trying to make that play. Does anyone know what I'm getting at?
You stole my thunder. What you say is dead accurate. Because of the players that Yao has around him, he might to have the opportunity to dominate in the same fashion that Hakeem did.
