Yao ranks No.1 and No.2 in two categories in the Playoffs

I definitely agree there. What I don't want Yao to become is another Robert Horry. Playoff performances only go so far.

My point is that Yao has failed to consistantly show us that he can play at a high level. Until he can acheive that, he remains a question mark.

 

One other thing, and I don't want to belabor this point. Yao's playoff performance, although impressive, also shouldn't necessarily be taken to reflect his future. For one thing, the Rockets only lasted 7 games in the playoffs, so the numbers can't really be taken literally. (remember when the Dodgers started out 12-2?) Also, all 7 games were against one team, which further taints the numbers. (remember when Cato recorded 6 blocks against Shawn Kemp, and landed that huge contract as a result?)

I loved Yao in the playoffs, but show it to me next year.

 

Yao tops the list. Now the only way for him to go is down. Trade him before too late.

 

What?!? I was going to walk away from this discussion, but then you come out with this gem. I don't suppose you remember a cat named Hakeem?

And the comparison to Horry had nothing to do with nailing clutch 3-pointers. It has everything to do with him elevating his overall game come playoff time, being dubbed "the next Scottie Pippen", and then returning to mediocrity once the regular season rolled around. It's the story of his career.

 

Wait, you're telling me that you wouldn't take Yao as a playoff assassin that loafs through the regular season? Hell, I'd take that without blinking. T-Mac is good enough to carry us to the playoffs with an inconsistent Yao. Then if Yao did in fact elevate his play, we'd only be a halfway decent supporting cast away from playoff triumph.

And I personally think Yao's got two more years until his "make or break" season. The first year that his max contract kicks in will be when he starts losing the benefit of the doubt.

 

Actually, NO, I wouldn't take a playoff assassin Yao that loafs through the regular season. Let's face it, with max deals for T-Mac and Yao, we're not going to have tons of money to throw around to very good players. Our role players will never be good enough that the Rockets will land a top three seed if Yao is "loafing" through the regular season. Even if it DID mean that Yao would kick some serious ass in the postseason, I don't want to be a 7 seed every year.

I think Darkhorse's point is that if Yao can be a great player in the postseason like Horry has historically been, why can't he dominate the regular season in the same capacity? That's always been the big knock on Bob--that he just didn't care enough during the regular season and then decided to turn it up when the postseason started.

And, by the way, Darkhorse's thoughts on the Yao/KG comparison are RIGHT ON. Yao is a great player--but he's got to learn to be more consistent and stop the stupid plays that plagued him this season (most of them dealing with foul trouble and silly turnovers). Until he can prove that he can do that, he's just NOT better than KG. And, as wireonfire says, this year is a make or break year for Yao. If I see the same Yao this year that I did last, I would trade him for KG in a heartbeat.

 

It doesn't matter if he has most likely fouled out of the game by then.

These stats are bogus. It's a 7 game sample against one defensively weak opponent. Don't get your lunch money taken away by the likes of Nenad Kristic and Zazah Pecculia and then maybe I'll think you're going to be great.

Look, Yao was great in the playoffs. The numbers prove that. What they don't prove is that he's going to translate that into dominance next year like you suggest. While his scoring average was up this year, I think most people looking at this objectively would tell you he actually regressed this year. It's not his fault, he has the desire and everything, he's just too unathletic to ever become an All-time great which is what he would be viewed as if he became better than KG. Yao will never be better than a really good player and that's fine - we can easily win with him at this level if we add some peices to mask his weaknesses. But for once in 4 years, can we please not assume "ThIS is the year that Yao is going to open up a can of whoop ass and take the league over!" because that's just foolish. Sorry guys, he's not better than KG. And I don't even like KG.

 

If I could chose one? Yea, I'd like to see Yao play in the reg. season like he did in these playloffs, but a "loafing" Yao is better than 99% of the centers in the league.

 

Well what's so bad about a 6th seed? The Rox won a championship from there before. And if we had our playoff configured team from the beginning of the season, we could have been the 4th seed instead, and maybe even compete for the division.

Obviously the "loafing" comment was an exaggeration. Consistantly great all the time is where it's at. But in the hypothetical situation of elevated playoff performance, it wouldn't be so bad.

Oh and with the new CBA, Yao's max contract isn't nearly as big as other players from the past. And Sacramento was able to surround two big contract guys Webber + Bibby (Webber's contract is bigger than T-mac's which makes up for the fact that Yao's will be bigger than Bibby) with other talented players in Miller and Peja.

I don't see any reason why we can't add a couple more good players to the mix.

 

We definitely to trade him ASAP when his market value it high.

 

Don't trade Yao, pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaassssssssseeeeeeee!!

 

but what is his ranking in online Counter Strike ?!?!

... last I heard he was banned from that action !

 

He's not even top 1000 in CS world ranking. Trade him.

 

You can learn from the poll from another thread that over 50% posters are not so optimistic about Yao's future and willing to trade him for KG.

To me, it is all about put up or shut up. You are saying Yao has the potential to be better than KG, Shaq or TD? Show us. I am not even talking about MVP like numbers. Give me 20pts/10rebs/2.5 blks average next season. The above three players are never short of those stats in most of their careers. If you have potential to be better than them, you should at least put up these stats in your FOURTH year, right?

And don't disappear for 3 or 4 games after having a good game, be consistent! Be smart! Look at his playoff performance, although impressive, it was still typical Yao's style, up and down, up and down. You think ppl hate him? No, we are just frustrated and begin to face the reality: maybe Yao is not as good as we thought.

 

ditto on that !

 

Here is an idea: trade Yao to LA. How about it ?

 

For who? Kobe?

 

For any ones except Kobe. You got it ?