<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Yao Ming always is looking ahead. The Houston Rockets center is off to the best start of his career, averaging 26.5 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. He is shooting 51 percent from the field, 86 percent from the free throw line and has blocked 52 shots in the Rockets' first 23 games. All-Star teammate Tracy McGrady has said repeatedly that Yao is now the best center in basketball, and coaches and players who have faced the Rockets this season agree. Last Saturday, after Yao scored a season-high 38 points and blocked six shots in Washington, Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said Yao "has an arsenal that I haven't seen before" -- and Jordan played with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the early 1980s. Yao scored 38 again Thursday night and grabbed a season-high 18 rebounds in the Rockets' 109-107 loss at Golden State. And he had 35 points, 15 rebounds and a career-high eight blocked shots in Friday night's 112-101 double-overtime loss to the Lakers. "He is probably the best big man in the game right now," said Warriors center Adonal Foyle. "He has the total package. He scored 38 and hardly broke a sweat." But Yao, in his fifth NBA season and only 26, shrugs off the accolades he's beginning to hear routinely. When he watches film of himself, he always sees plenty he could do better. "The last month, I've played well. I'm playing very confidently," he said. "But I'm worried about today and tomorrow, not yesterday." Yao scored 26 points, but only five in the second half, of Tuesday's 102-94 loss at home to Los Angeles. The Lakers aggressively double-teamed Yao and slapped at the ball every time he tried to dribble -- two things Yao will have to learn to overcome. "He's commanding a lot more attention, and it's coming quicker," said Houston assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, who has traveled to China the past two summers to work individually with Yao. "Before, I think teams would wait to see how he was doing before they would commit a second defender. Now, it's coming quicker and he has to make that adjustment." </div> Link
I think it is safe to say that Yao Ming is the best center in the NBA right now and it will most likely stay this way for a few more years until Dwight really develops up. I don't think there are many good centers with bright futures left besides Yao, Howard, Andris Beidrins, and Nenad Krstic. There might me some that I am forgetting to but these are the ones that really stand out and I think they are all under the age of 26. And I also agree with Umair, if Yao mantains these averages and aslong as the Rockets are winning he could be a top contender for MVP.
He is easily the best center right now. I'm a huge fan of Andris Biedrins, who has played well against the whole league this year, but Yao made him look like a child.
Adonal Foyle's quote made me smile a little bit becasue I can't imagine Yao not breaking a sweat. Yao always looks tired, whether he truly is or not.
YEA! Yao's great! GUYS: Check out the Knicks forum. A brawl went down Knicks vs. Nuggets Yea.. Nate Robinson was the cause
<div class="quote_poster">Pakman Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">YEA! Yao's great! GUYS: Check out the Knicks forum. A brawl went down Knicks vs. Nuggets Yea.. Nate Robinson was the cause</div> LOL, spammer.
<div class="quote_poster">Carter Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think it is safe to say that Yao Ming is the best center in the NBA right now and it will most likely stay this way for a few more years until Dwight really develops up. I don't think there are many good centers with bright futures left besides Yao, Howard, Andris Beidrins, and Nenad Krstic. There might me some that I am forgetting to but these are the ones that really stand out and I think they are all under the age of 26. And I also agree with Umair, if Yao mantains these averages and aslong as the Rockets are winning he could be a top contender for MVP.</div> Yao's the best center now. But 2 words my friend, Greg Oden. When he is brought to the NBA, Yao will have to contend for the crown again.
Would Oden be 26/10 in his first season though? I can't see him putting up those numbers for at least the first three years in the league.
<div class="quote_poster">Locke Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Would Oden be 26/10 in his first season though? I can't see him putting up those numbers for at least the first three years in the league.</div> Probably not, but 3 years from now, then Yao will certainly have a rival in Oden. As of right now, amare and howard isn't at Yao's level of play.
Oden is a man amoung boys out on the college floor, the guy just toys with his oppoenents. Going to be interesting to see him step on the NBA floor.
Oden is dominating on the college level, but he isn't an offensive machine unless he is dunking. Wait till hes up against the likes of the strong centers like Dwight, Yao, Amare, or shaq.
<div class="quote_poster">tix_ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yao for MVP maybe when he can play a full four quarters without turning into Shawn Bradley...</div> Right cuz Shawn Bradley and Yao have the same type of game...
<div class="quote_poster">tix_ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Oden is a man amoung boys out on the college floor, the guy just toys with his oppoenents. Going to be interesting to see him step on the NBA floor.</div> Oden lives off of dunking because he can get good position in the paint in COLLEGE. I think things will change when he gets to the NBA. He'll still be blocking shots and altering them, but I think he'll average 10 points max his first season.
<div class="quote_poster">Blurr#7 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Right cuz Shawn Bradley and Yao have the same type of game...</div> Heh, are you slow or just don't know how to read. I said nothing about their games being similar, Yao turns to dog crap if he plays anything more thant 36 minutes. He can't make his shots, he can't play decent D and he def can't carry a team. How is supposed to be MVP when he can't even play 40 mpg? He is a top center no doubt, I'd say he is the best center in the NBA right now. But MVP, naw don't go there. So many more guys deserve it over him. <div class="quote_poster">Pakman Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Oden lives off of dunking because he can get good position in the paint in COLLEGE. I think things will change when he gets to the NBA. He'll still be blocking shots and altering them, but I think he'll average 10 points max his first season.</div> Amare has no problem dominating the NBA and the majority of his buckets are dunks, hell he has developed a jumper and some other things, but lets not kid ourselfs. Amare gets majority of his points off dunks/layups. Oden is bigger than Amare (Amare's only 6 10', willing to bet shorter than that), Oden is a true 7 footer. Amare's athetiscism > Odens, but considering how big Oden is it makes up the differnece. Anyways, how many guys in the NBA are there with Odens size, strength and speed? Let me think...hugh...zero. Oden is the real deal, won't make a diff. if he is on the college court or soon to be NBA court. <font color=""Red"">Next time use the "edit" option instead of double posting- AznxBaller</font>
<div class="quote_poster">Pakman Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Oden lives off of dunking because he can get good position in the paint in COLLEGE. I think things will change when he gets to the NBA. He'll still be blocking shots and altering them, but I think he'll average 10 points max his first season.</div> 10 points max? Have you seen Oden play before, he's not the one-dimensional dunker you describe him to be. Oden will have a high average because he can make his free throws and still has another 10 months to develop before he joins the league. As for the topic, there's no doubt Yao is top center in the league.
<div class="quote_poster">tix_ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Anyways, how many guys in the NBA are there with Odens size, strength and speed? Let me think...hugh...zero. </div> I have seen very little of Oden, but I would guess KG might be just as big, strong, and quick. Maybe not anymore, because its hard for a 30 year old to keep up speed-wise with a 20 year old, but its probably pretty close. Also Dwight may be an inch or two shorter, but he is probably stronger, maybe not as quick (don't know). <div class="quote_poster">tix_ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">How is supposed to be MVP when he can't even play 40 mpg? He is a top center no doubt, I'd say he is the best center in the NBA right now. But MVP, naw don't go there. So many more guys deserve it over him.</div> Shaq was #2 in MVP votes in a very very close MVP race against Nash, when Nash won his first MVP. Shaq was only playing 34.1 mpg. If Yao is putting up 26 ppg and 10 rpg and making the biggest impact in 36 mpg then I don't see why he shouldn't win. I think at this point Yao has to be one of the top MVP candidates.
<div class="quote_poster">tix_ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">How is supposed to be MVP when he can't even play 40 mpg? He is a top center no doubt, I'd say he is the best center in the NBA right now. But MVP, naw don't go there. So many more guys deserve it over him.</div> Shaq was #2 in MVP votes in a very very close MVP race against Nash, when Nash won his first MVP. Shaq was only playing 34.1 mpg. If Yao is putting up 26 ppg and 10 rpg and making the biggest impact in 36 mpg then I see why he shouldn't win. I think at this point Yao has to be one of the top MVP candidates.
