http://www.nba.com/china2004/russell_041016.html Where does Yao Ming rank among today?s centers? Russell: "He?s right there at the top with the best but his whole potential is ahead of him. We forget that he?s just a kid." Does his game remind you of any former great center? Russell: "In terms of skills, he reminds me of Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar]. He?s not there yet but that who I think he?s most like." What impresses you the most about Yao? Russell: "His intelligence, his sense of humor, his responsibility of being a star and his sense of well being." Has he ever asked you for advice? Russell: "Oh, yes, we have had numerous conversations and very little of it had to do with basketball. They primarily centered on the approach to basketball." What long term impact do you think the NBA China Games will have on this country? Russell: "I think it?s going to be similar to Babe Ruth and baseball. Yao is a genuine hero and he does it so well. The kids want to play the same game he?s playing. They don?t necessarily want to be that tall or that good but they want to play the same game. So, that?s why in China now you have more than 200 million kids playing basketball."
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheMegaGreg:</div><div class="quote_post">I would have compared Yao to Hakeem Olajuwon...but I can't argue with Bill Russell...</div> Nah, I think Hakeem is way different. Dream's strengths were his quickness and agility, both of which are Yao's weakness. For me, the comparison of Yao to Kareem (in the 80s) makes more sense.
yao does feel a lot more like kareem instead of olajuwon, but.... i always get the impression of rik smits when i see yao play
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting flamehead:</div><div class="quote_post">yao does feel a lot more like kareem instead of olajuwon, but.... i always get the impression of rik smits when i see yao play</div> Smits is a good comparison. Yao is sort of like Smits squared.
