The Georgetown Hoya sent me to the Rockets Wizards game in December to do an article on Dikembe and I got in a conversation with Rafer and Luther about who would win one on one Yao vs. Deke. Rafer decided: "If deke puts his elbow pads on Yao might have a chance, but if deke doesn’t put his elbow pads on Yao doesn’t have a chance.” Just wanted to know what others thought about this epic battle of the big men.
I think Van Gundy summed it up best after the Rockets acquired Dikembe in late 2004. When Dikembe was talking about how much he was going to boost Yao's game by going up against him in practice, JVG, in classic form, took Deke down a notch. "From last year, Yao crushed him, so I think it will help Yao's confidence, unless (Mutombo) guards him better than he did last year in those two games. I mean, Yao wore him out." Deke has been an insanely good acquisition for the Rockets though. When they lose him, they will lose a lot.
its true. He brings more to the table then just the stat page has to offer; its his spirit, energy, personality, and morales in the locker room which are all great for this team, let alone any team.
Yao is no match for Deke in real fighting. Yao come from the city call Shanghai. In China, man from Shanghai has a reputation of softness, fighting by mouth rather than fist, do more housework than his wife ect., in other words, civil man with "good" personality. On the other hand, Deke from Africa. Well, I just watched two very good movie about Africa, "Blood diamond" and " The last king from Scotland", you can see what a man from Africa have to do to make a living. Sure, Deke is a decent man, but his instinct is not gonna vanish. If Yao come from some northern region of China, he may stand a chance.
classic case of stereotyping. you categorize yao's character from where he was born and grew up, and deke's from a hollywood movie? that says a lot how much you know these two.
Agreed. Why don't you just add that Boki could kick Yao's @ss since I saw this movie called Behind Enemy Lines and you can see what a guy from the former Yugoslavia has to do to make a living.
I didn't know deke brought a spanish last name to the table. I've always thought he was from the congo.
Deke doesn't have a chance. Sure he'll block Yao left and right, but since he has zero offesive game to speak of, Yao'll win eventually.
Man, you do not need to reply that nonsense. What a joke, I am not from Shanghai, bu I know many best Chinese athletes are Shanghai boys, Liu Xiang, a soccer player whose last name is Fan and etc. That guy does not what soft means, indeed soft means big mouth and naive talke he did.
