<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq's making a pretty good argument that Yao isn't quite there yet early on in the HOU-MIA game. He's drawn a foul on Yao, scored on him one on one three times, and he blocked a shot on Yao on the other end. All in the first five minutes of the game.</div> Yeah Shaq does this every year against Yao to slight his critics. In his mind, if he outplays Yao in their only two meetings of the season he'll still be regarded as the best center in the league. Shaq will take off the next 4 or 5 games after tonight. Who knows, Shaq might not even have any legs left by the second half. Yao just needs to stay out of foul trouble and force Shaq to work hard on both ends. I somewhat agree with Laker_Fan and have always felt Shaq should have been even more dominant than he has been. If he had trained harder and stayed in better condition throughout his career, he could probably have a great impact even now at 34 1/2 years old. He also never worked on extending his game outside of the paint and improve his free throw stroke. You have to imagine, Shaq would take far less punishment if he was capable of shooting 80% plus at the free throw line. Imagine if Shaq kept himself in shape like Karl Malone did. The Mailman was putting up solid stats and playing at a high level up until the age of 40. He might still be playing if he didn't have that freak knee accident in his final season. In 19 seasons Malone only had two seasons where he played under 80 games a year. That's remarkable considering how physical he played.
I agree, Shaq seems to really get up for his games against Yao to try to prove to himself and everyone else that he is still the best center in the league. Just because he plays well against Yao, doesn't indicate whether he's a better center right now (which he is obviously not).
The problem with shaq is that he chooses when to play well... It wasn't like his days in Orlando or the first couple years in LA when he wanted to prove himself. It may be his downfall.
Yeah, Yao came out and dominated Shaq tonight... Now there's going to be a ton of people out there (not necessarily JBB) thats going to say this is a fluke.
<div class="quote_poster">Trench Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq is making Yao look bad today.. From what I've seen so far.</div> Looks like Yao returned the favor in the second half, in a big way.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> S. O'Neal C 32:54 6-14 0-0 3-9 2 8 10 1 4 0 5 1 15 </div> Yes, quite dominant numbers by the "MDE", 15 points and 10 rebs in 32 minutes. Yao? Nah, he hasn't surpassed Shaq at all. 34 and 14 in 37 mins means he's still behind Shaq obviously. Oh, by the way, Houston won 94-72 IN MIAMI.
<div class="quote_poster">Junoon Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yes, quite dominant numbers by the "MDE", 15 points and 10 rebs in 32 minutes. Yao? Nah, he hasn't surpassed Shaq at all. 34 and 14 in 37 mins means he's still behind Shaq obviously.</div> What, why? 34/14 is an impressive stat. It is obvious that Shaq is not the same anymore. Yao had surpassing Shaq during the 2nd half of last year season. Though, if Shaq is in his prime, Shaq is better no question. This brings up my hatred for Shaq. Most people blamed Kobe for the Laker's departure. Well, I blame Shaq. If he knows that his game will be declining, he should handles the Lakers to Kobe, who beginning to emerge as the best player in the league. If it wasn't for Shaq's big ego, the Lakers would still be a contender.
<div class="quote_poster">kobe4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">What, why? 34/14 is an impressive stat. </div> I think Junoon's being sarcastic.
<div class="quote_poster">kobe4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">What, why? 34/14 is an impressive stat. It is obvious that Shaq is not the same anymore. Yao had surpassing Shaq during the 2nd half of last year season. Though, if Shaq is in his prime, Shaq is better no question. This brings up my hatred for Shaq. Most people blamed Kobe for the Laker's departure. Well, I blame Shaq. If he knows that his game will be declining, he should handles the Lakers to Kobe, who beginning to emerge as the best player in the league. If it wasn't for Shaq's big ego, the Lakers would still be a contender.</div> He was being sarcastic. The Lakers would still be contending if Detroit didn't kick there asses in the 02-03 Finals.
Every year when these two play, yao gets out done in the game, but yao gets better stats. Yao may get dunked on, but he still comes on top with the stats. It don't matter if yao gets dunked on, he gets better stats.
Shaq and Yao have 2 very different styles. Shaq dominated the paint with force while Yao with finesse. It would have been a great battle between Yao and Shaq at his peak. It terms of Yao surpassing Shaq, Yao's not quite there yet. Don't get me wrong, Yao is still in his 20's and still has a lot of room for improvement. He will end up as one of the great centers the world has seen. Overall Shaq has still a big edge on Yao. Shaq has 4 rings. He was the Finals MVP on all 3 of the Lakers championship. Yao is putting up better stats than shaq, something that shouldn't come as a surpise. Yao is in his prime while Shaq is at a point where he has to pick his spots. It's not that he's slacking, he's simply not 21 anymore. At 34, it's physically difficult for him to dominate the way he did before.
We realize all of what you just said, but this thread is about whether or not Yao is CURRENTLY better than Shaq. Anyone in the right mind who knew a lick about basketball would know that Yao isn't even close to the level Shaq was at when he was in his prime.
<div class="quote_poster">Moo2K4 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">We realize all of what you just said, but this thread is about whether or not Yao is CURRENTLY better than Shaq. Anyone in the right mind who knew a lick about basketball would know that Yao isn't even close to the level Shaq was at when he was in his prime.</div> It says "Has Yao surpassed Shaq?", so I thought it was from an overall career standpoint. Maybe it would be better if the title is "Is Yao better than Shaq now?" Anyway, Yao right now is playing better than Shaq.
<div class="quote_poster">THE DREAM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">screw russell and hakeem right?...lol</div>Oh god, how could I forgot Rusell.;D Hakeem too, but yeah Russell was a monster. 10 rings in 12, 13 years ?;D Sick.
Yes, Yao outplayed Shaq. But I still think he could've had 44pts instead of 34pts. Call me greedy. But Yao needs to use that jump hook as a go to move against Shaq. He can't shoot over Shaq, but he can jump hook and still be effective. Shaq looked uninspired in the second half. I was suprised to see Yao's energy
I think the rox made a big mistake by not hiring Kareem to help out yao, when he was available. I think yao's game ressembles kareems alot more than ewing's. Imagine yao with a skyhook? he'd be un-guardable.
Yao has become unstoppable. He's learned how to fully use his height and avoid simple mistakes like not bringing the ball down after a rebound etc. His shot is ridiculous too. He shoots technical free throws for the Rockets. You don't see that everyday.
<div class="quote_poster">Umair15 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Every year when these two play, yao gets out done in the game, but yao gets better stats. Yao may get dunked on, but he still comes on top with the stats. It don't matter if yao gets dunked on, he gets better stats.</div> That just made me laugh out loud. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> What, why? 34/14 is an impressive stat. </div> No it's not, 15/10 is better obviously.
