They were both drafted in the same year. Amare started off great first couple years then got hurt. As soon as he goes down, Yao's numbers went BANANNAS! Their games are drastically different, but who's the better player? I know Amare is comin off an injury, but hypothetically if Amare was 100%. I'm going to say Yao is because that's my boy lol. But this is kinda closer than i thought it would be.
Yao is better, in my opinion. I think he's been the better player for most of their careers, at least on a per minute basis. Give Amare the edge in 2005, though it's closer than people realize. I think Yao was better his rookie year, but he plays a few less minutes, he got hated on a lot, and the Rockets just missed getting into the playoffs, so he didn't get his due then (Amare won ROY). Per minute, his numbers look better than Amare in 2004 as well, but Amare played 4 more minutes a game (to his credit; Yao wasn't capable of playing 35+ minutes a game at that point). 2006 its obviously Yao, but that's an unfair comparison. This year, Yao is ahead, but again Amare is coming off an injury and a slow start to the year in the first few weeks. Stats below are per 40 minutes. TS% refers to scoring efficiency (taking into account 3s and free throws). PER is a pace-adjusted, per-minute summary stat. <div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><br/>MPG pts reb ast toblk TS% PER<br/>------------------------------------------------------------<br/>2003Yao 29.118.511.32.3 2.9 2.5 57.0% 20.6<br/>Amare 31.317.211.21.2 2.0 1.4 53.0% 16.2 <br/><br/>2004Yao 32.821.310.91.8 3.0 2.3 58.6% 21.9<br/>Amare 36.822.49.8 1.5 3.5 1.8 53.6% 19.8<br/><br/>2005Yao 30.623.910.91.0 3.2 2.6 61.4% 23.2<br/>Amare 36.128.89.9 1.8 2.6 1.8 61.7% 26.6<br/><br/>2006Yao 34.026.111.91.7 3.0 1.9 59.2% 25.7<br/>Amare 16.720.812.81.6 0.8 2.4 42.0% 17.8<br/><br/>2007Yao 35.829.611.02.4 4.6 2.5 59.2% 26.3<br/>Amare 27.924.411.50.8 3.5 1.7 67.5% 22.9<br/></div>
What I've been impressed with the most of Yao this year is his shotblocking. He's become a force defensively for the Rockets and has improved his timing on when to jump, and when not to. Prior to this season, Yao used to get caught swinging through the block and making contact on a player's arm. This season he's had some monster blocks and still manages to keep the ball in play. I like both players and you could build a franchise around either one. Amare has some built in advantages playing in a wide open offense, and not having a coach who emphasizes defense. I'd like to see how effective Amare would be in a halfcourt offense like the Spurs or Lakers run.
<div class="quote_poster">Rock4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> As soon as he goes down, Yao's numbers went BANANNAS! </div> Anyways, there is no question about it. Yao has become the monsterous center in the NBA. Even if Amare didnt have that injury, Yao would still be the best center. He has really improved his game and no doubt about it, Yao would still be the best. Yao got robbed for ROY!
Yao > Amare....a year and a half ago, I would've said the opposite, but Yao is just a flat out beast right now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jss1xEzh5b4&eurl You can't F'in stop em!!!!
<div class="quote_poster">THE DREAM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yao > Amare....a year and a half ago, I would've said the opposite, but Yao is just a flat out beast right now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jss1xEzh5b4&eurl You can't F'in stop em!!!!</div> You pretty much summed it up. This kind of season he`s having along with the stats gives him MVP canidancy IMO.
Amare the season prior to his surgery, and Yao during that season. I would have taken Amare for that year. Yao now, and Amare now. Clearly Yao. I think if Amare never got injured and was 100% right now, most likely I'd take Yao still
