Who’s better: Dwight or Yao?
We argue. You decide…
DWIGHT HOWARD (by Aron Phillips)
While everyone is talking about LeBron, Kobe, D-Wade, CP3 and Bosh as potential MVP candidates this season, that race would not be complete without Dwight Howard’s name in the mix. Through 18 games, a time in which the Magic have compiled a 13-5 record, Superman is averaging 21.4 points, 14.0 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game. Yao, on the other hand, doesn’t even come close.
Dwight Howard (photo. Mannion)By season’s end, Howard could become the only player besides Bill Walton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Ben Wallace to win the NBA rebounding and blocked-shots titles. A feat that could potentially punctuate his MVP run. Yao will be lucky to average a double-double.
Not only is Howard an amazing player, he’s a guy that other players want to play with. In the Carmelo Anthony interview I posted yesterday, ‘Melo rounded out his starting five with LeBron, Kobe, D-Wade and Howard. It’s no surprise; he headlined the 2007-08 All-NBA First Team last May.
Last month, Howard registered his first career triple-double with 30 points, 19 rebounds and 10 blocks — a feat Yao has never even come close to doing in his seven years in the League. But it’s clearly not all about individual success. I guarantee Howard will lead the Magic past the first round of the playoffs this season; Yao and company, not so much.
In case you need any more evidence, just go HERE.
YAO MING (by Austin Burton)
Why wouldn’t you hate on Yao? Conventional sneaker-company wisdom says your average fan can’t relate to the literal giants of the game, especially one who’s 7-foot-5 with a head the size of a microwave, who is allegedly as close to a genetically-engineered human being as you can get. Throw in the fact that he’s constantly getting hurt — missing 86 of a possible 246 games in the past three seasons — and hasn’t been past the first round of the playoffs. Put it all together, and you’ve got what looks like a fragile, robotic, physically freakish loser. So you hate. I get it.
(There’s another element at play, and if no one else is going to say it, f*** it, I will: We live in an elitist, xenophobic America, and Yao isn’t one of us. Even if the bias isn’t malicious or conscious, it’s still there and it’s a reality.)
Yao Ming, Dime #16Granted, Yao’s critics aren’t pulling their ammo out of thin air, and even his most loyal supporters have to admit Yao has his flaws and could/should be a lot better and more dominant. But enough of the negativity. Let’s focus on the positives. Let’s focus on the fact that — like it or not — Yao is the best true center in the world.
Going into ’08-09, Yao averaged at least 22 points and 9.4 rebounds for each of the past three seasons. Before injuries got in the way, he’d even been getting some MVP talk during that stretch. You’d have to be living on Planet NBA Jam to truly believe Dwight Howard is a better offensive player than Yao, whose array of jumpers, hooks, fadeaways, turnarounds and post moves trumps Dwight’s dunk-first, dunk-second, alley-oop-third repertoire. Yao’s numbers are slightly down this year, but look at the roster he’s playing with. Kevin Garnettt’s numbers have dipped since Ray Allen and Paul Pierce came into his life, so naturally Yao’s will dip with T-Mac and Ron Artest in the picture.
After the most recent Yao vs. Howard matchup, a Rockets win on Nov. 22 where Yao put up 22 points and 13 boards to Dwight’s 13 and nine, Dwight told reporters, “He’s a tough guy to guard. He’s very gifted, he shoots the ball extremely well and that sets up everything else in his game. I learn a lot every time I play him.”
Howard then told the Orlando Sentinel that “nobody can block” Yao’s turnaround jumper “unless you’re 7-foot-8,” and in that same interview, called Yao, “A big beanstalk. You got to chop.”
Or maybe Sentinel writer Brian Schmitz put it best, describing Yao in print as, “The one human who can serve [Howard] a heaping helping of humble pie.”
It’s easy and in some ways understandable to not appreciate Yao Ming’s skills on the court, but know that his peers recognize game. And they, like you, should know that at the five, he’s the best in the business.
Who do you think is better?
“Who’s better?” archives
12/2 — Paul Pierce vs. Carmelo Anthony
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Sam I Am says:
Man I would go with damn…..
ummm Yao as far as the better Center
Dwight the better specimen
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Sam I Am says:
Screw it… I’ll say Yao
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Richard Wellner says:
Yao, because he actually has skills.
Dwight is just an over grown little boy with a pea-brain. So Yao, hands down.
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Guitar Hero says:
Well, Yao is a much superior offensive player. A much better post player, a much better passer, a much better shooter.
Defensively, there’s no question at all. D12 is an absolut monster, whereas Yao is way to slow and weak to be a good post defender.
I’d pick D12 because of his durability, but Yao is obviously the best offensive center in the game today. Wonderfully gifted.
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:53 pm
sans says:
Yao might be better toole, but Howard is better conditioned and able to perform at a high level all game. Yao is fucking flaccid when it comes to running up and down the court, and often injured. Long Term I’d take Dwight. Today, for my team, Dwight. 2K9–Yao. Yao is way better when digital.
Oh, and no mention of how Yao gets swatted by people like Nate Robinson? Nasty Nate will never touch a Centaur shot attempt. Never. I might be xenophobic and distrustful of microwaved sized heads, but Dwight is much better than Yao overall, and getting better every damn day.
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Bondzai says:
Yao may have a better offensive game, but that doesn’t do him much good if he’s not out there playing.
Dwight has never missed a game in his career, nuff said.
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Chris says:
Wait…what? I’m sorry but you guys are crazy. D. Howard is better and its not even close. Ok so Yao has more post moves. That doesn’t mean Dwight can’t score. They just score in different ways. Now throw in Dwight’s rebounding ability and defense and there is no question. Yao doesnt come close, plus he is always good to miss at least 25+ games a year.
Even if injuries weren’t a factor, its got to be Dwight Howard
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Richard Wellner says:
bro, that retard hs dropout cant hit a free throw. so typical.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Vinny says:
Hey Dick- the only 1 with a pea brain is you!! and you keep proving it.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Scott says:
I understand why Dwight is a C and is considered a C in many circles, creating this comparison. But for some reason, he always felt like he was more of a PF to me.
Either way, I think Yao is still ahead of him skill wise on both ends. But Dwights raw athleticism and the fact that dude clearly is trying to improve himself daily helps. His numbers are clearly staggering.
With true C’s being a rarity in the league these days, Yao is one of the few left. He’s a slower Hakeem, which is why his boards and block numbers will never get to Dwight or Hakeem’s level. At 28, he’s not playing like he’s in his prime which is a big disappointment.
Personally, I believe Dwight has more of an impact on games than Yao does. In 2 years this won’t even be a debate. You can learn offense, you can’t teach what Dwight brings to the table right now. And if the kid is practicing and trying to learn post moves, then the sky is the limit. Imagine Shaq without that bad wrist? Imagine Shaq being in true shape, with Amare style body fat and I believe thats what we’ll see with Dwight in a few years.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:06 pm
aj says:
For one game or one series I take Yao. If both are healthy and I need a W, gimmie Yao. Dwight is clearly the better long-term or even season-long option but if I’m looking at one game, I want Yao.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:10 pm
kg fan says:
i’ve always rooted for yao, i just wonder what wouldve been if he had the summer off every season instead of playin for his national team. I think Yao if better skill wise, but dwight is definitely better physically. At this point in both their careers, it looks like Dwight will eventually have the better career unless Yao says f the national team and rest his tree legs
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:16 pm
SoulOnIce says:
Everything that both of you (Aron and Austin) are saying is true, but I have to go with Yao on this one. Howard’s a BEAST, but he STILL can’t be counted on at the end of a game, because if it aint a dunk, you can forget it. He won’t make a free throw, and we have over four years of game tape to illustrate this.
Granted, Yao misses games due to injury, but I won’t hold that against him too much. His skills are superb on the offensive end, and if the game is on the line, I trust him TEN TIMES MORE than Dwight Howard.
I like Howard’s game a lot, but I gotta ride with Yao on this ont.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Ian says:
wow
i thought i was going to read a lot of post bashing yao
but i was wrong
id take yao easy over dwight if i had to pick one to start a team
like kg fan said yao should take a break from his national team
scott howard will never be better than shaq imo
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Jay says:
Dwight is clearly the more exciting, entertaining, and likable player, which is why so many people would think Dwight is better. But truth be told, the guy has no offensive game to speak of besides the dunk. His defense may be better than Yao’s, but that’s really mostly a result of his freakish physical tools too. Man on man, Dwight isn’t a very good defender. Yao, on the other hand, doesn’t put up big time shot blocking numbers and gets crowned every once in a while but he still gets the job done. He contests shots and is able to alter a lot of them with his height and length.
Bottom line, the question is “Who is better,” so the argument of Yao being injury-prone is moot. Until Dwight develops an offensive game, Yao will remain the better of the two.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
MSkittle says:
Dwight in a landslide
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:28 pm
mules says:
It depends on the rest of your squad and what kind of offense you want to run. If you’re not looking for scoring from your 5 (e.g. Melo, Kobe, Lebron, & Wade at the 1-4) then I’d go with the superior rebounder and shot blocker - D-Ho. But, if you want consistent offensive production from your center I’d have to go with Yao.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
rangerjohn says:
here are the 2 questions you have to ask yourself,
1st if yao and howard played one on one, who would win? HOWARD!
2nd if you where picking a teammate to play with for the next 10 years, who do you take? HOWARD!
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
GEE...Break ya concentration, murda ya camp says:
Seriously?
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:47 pm
GEE...Break ya concentration, murda ya camp says:
First of ranger is totally right.
Second I am a Houston fan! Speaking in truth I used to be all about Yao and advocating how awesome he was and all.
Now and you can check most my comments about him, since he pulled that I can’t help Houston in the playoffs but I can play for my Olympic squad stunt, I wish Houston would package a trade deal for him and give Houston Dwight.
Yao is good. Give me Dwight’s toughness, potential, D and running of the floor any day over Ming though.
Howard all day, and I ain’t even got to read the defense for either one. We talkin common sense here.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:47 pm
jiggaman says:
Dwight.
Dwight is better on defense. Yao is better in scoring (not necessarily offense) and maybe passing(dwight’s improved!). When all is said though, I’d take Dwight because he’s more versatile; he can go run and gun, he can play off the ball and just set picks. This means you don’t have to design an offense for dwight, where you basically need to with yao. Look up any player efficiency mark by the statisticians, Dwight is ahead in every single one.
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Big North says:
I think we should all pitch in to buy The Centaur (that is the sweetest nickname ever BTW) one lone single go to post move. Could you imagine the damage this guy would do with only once McKale pumpfake (on top of prolonging the health of his knees)?
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Kobeef says:
@Scott
Dwight is considered a Center because he has no offensive game. He looks like a PF but he can’t shoot and has no moves so he plays the 5.
Which brings us to the question. If I am the GM of a team and am given this choice I take Dwight because with a few more offensive moves and a jump shot he takes this in a landslide…and you have to believe that with a good coach Dwight could learn those basic skills.
As strange as it may be to say this, the Magic haven’t made it to the next level because of Dwight. He can defend and dunk but teams do not have to apply the double teams normally reserved for superstars to dwight. As a result, the rest of his team sees more defense. Simply put - Dwight does not yet make the rest of his team better - like Lebron, Kobe, Wade.
I would not take Yao over Dwight if I had the choice. In 5 years Yao will be slow and have a decent jump shot with the same release point as Nate Robinson
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
isotope says:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2161/2168276778_f93a573daa_o.jpg
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
isotope says:
Now i’m a Houston homer but i saw the headline and immediately thought DH edges Yao right now. But Austin makes a better job than Arron and he’s convinced me otherwise.
Ming Dynasty!
December 3rd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
GEE...Break ya concentration, murda ya camp says:
iso
I’ll raise yo pick and give you this!
http://www.nancarrow-webdesk.com/warehouse/storage2/2008-w07/img.119880_t.jpg
http://www.nancarrow-webdesk.com/warehouse/storage2/2008-w07/img.119868_t.jpg
http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-08/41627754.jpg
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Ace says:
yao has post moves, a jump shot, and free throw shooting that dwight can only dream of
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:18 pm
isotope says:
for some reason i couldnt see the first two pics but here’s two for you:
http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/image/2008/08/10/opgw-8355.jpg
and i know u remember this:
http://www.chron.com/photos/2005/01/20/9200090/226xRefer.jpg
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:29 pm
johnsacrimoni says:
Yao is the better basketball player, but Dwight is a freak athlete that produces more and stays on the court more. If it came down to the last shot though, it’s Yao hands down.
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:35 pm
P_Dizzle says:
I’d take Yao. Yao gives you a ton more offense and you have to actually guard him. Plus the guy is automatic from the ft line.
If Dwight spent half the time Yao has on his game then Dwight would be a freak and would win this hands down. But if I am the captain for a pickup game I’m taking Yao over Howard.
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Ross says:
Dwight
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:51 pm
LakeShow84 says:
What would you rather get hit with?? A truck or a building??
Ill take Dwight just because he is still developing and has been very durable given his position.. Yao gets injured A LOT and sometimes get outboarded by guards.. but still got the softest touch on any 7 footer, Dirk aint got nothing on Yao’s post moves..
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:00 pm
srb says:
yao is really tall
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:17 pm
D A says:
Is there need for such a comparison? Howard
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:19 pm
dapro says:
Yao is a skilled ballplayer
Dwight is a gifted athlete
I’d go Yao based on his total skills but it’s close
Dwight needs some finesse in his post game, he shoots muscular jump hooks
He needs a little touch around the basket
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Gerard says:
Head-to-head Yao has owned Dwight consistently. Also, Dwight’s defense is NOT THAT GOOD. At all. He’s great for highlight reel defense, like Amare, but one-on-one defense is his (major) shortcoming.
That said, I’d still take him over Yao. And like Gee I’m a Rockets fan. Just imagine if T-Mac would have stuck it out a couple of years in Orlando and been teamed up with him.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Kayfah says:
Yao sucks look at the rockets..and hes soft, Dwight howards a beast and is taking it to every center in the NBA…
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:37 pm
CLUTCH says:
I would prefer Dwight on my team for the rebounding and blocks.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Jim says:
I love Gee, way too reasonable going to war against your boy lol…
I take Yao because he demands a double, but all the points made here are valid and long term you obviously take Dwight. The main point is that the Yao-Walton and Moses-Howard comparisons should both be retired at this point because it’s not happening.
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:46 pm
karol kogslaughter says:
Yao’s Averages V Howard
24pts
10.5 boards
1.625 blocks
6 wins 2 losses
Howards Averages V Yao
12.125pts
9.75 boards
1.5 blocks
2 wins 6 losses
Record
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Marci says:
Dwight is the man!
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:25 pm
GEE...Break ya concentration, murda ya camp says:
Gerard if you would have eva had an injury free T-Mac with Howard. OMG at the destruction they would have had on the L.
Sorry folks. You can throw numbers around all day. But you can’t throw no numbers around when a player is hurt or injured. Yao is to soft (not playing wise…although???) but physically.
Stature and size is not equal to the domination that should be there. For the first couple of years everyone kept waiting for Yao to reach that Shaq status if you will of just straight up dominating his position and the game.
Granted he has more flashes of brilliance than not, but still durability wise, running the court, turnovers (at key moments), agression to win and dominate are not there.
Sure Dwight is not offensively sound as Yao, but people Dwight is still giving you sometime of offense. I mean lets not front to hard, Shaq ain’t really got an awesome repertoire that just makes you go “Oh wow how does he do all those moves”.
Let us also not forget the potential that still comes with Dwight. I feel we have pretty much seen all we will see from Yao. From this point it’s injuries (how many times has he already been injured this season) and questions of can he deliver when it counts? You can’t deliver crap when you out the game: See final seconds vs. Pacers this year.
Maaaan I am done.
Dwight got it.
At this point my prayer is that Houston’s frail two and weird third, sup par point guards and host of forwards will be ready come playoff time.
Still though…Houston up snitches!
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:28 pm
GEE...Break ya concentration, murda ya camp says:
I think that was the worst comment I have ever posted in reading it lol.
For all my mistakes and weird sentences (I was typing fast)…
I basically said Dwight is better. Specially long term.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Mark says:
LakeShow84, I don’t know which one is the truck and which one is the building. Those Ford Truck commercials are very convincing…
But I digress, it all comes down to health. And from track record, you have to nod at Dwight’s Ironman status. I would take Yao Ming’s rounded game over Dwight’s power game, but again, Dwight has yet to miss a game that I know of. Hence his productivity is still 100% pure.
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
dagwaller says:
Yao all day.
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Crazy says:
Yao schooled Dwight when they played. Just about every time they played.
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Luigi says:
okay. Dwight is WAYYY better. he can make the Free Throws and in one game he had 15-18FT’s n tell me u can do that in a game.
Yao ’s just a better version Zydrunas. its just that hes marketed more..i dont ever see him taking over games the way Dwight does. tell me that uve had 10 blocks in one game besides playing pickup..
if Dwight was 7′6….he would be banned from the NBA because hed be so good.
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Crazy says:
You are an idiot. If Dwight was 7′6, he could not move or jump like he does now. Tell me why hasn’t any other player that was tall like Yao has been as good as him? Most guys that tall are stiffs. Bradly,Bol,Muresan,ect. None of them came close to possessing skills than Yao has. Dwight at 7′6 would be a stiff too because his game relies more on athleticism than skill. Not many people are athletic at 7 foot 6.
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:56 pm
JCARR says:
Better center- D-Howard
Better overall center- Yao
D-howard doesnt disappoint his fans because he fills up the stats sheet. D-howard may be a one dimensional player(just dunks) but still he scores, rebounds, and blocks.
Yao has all the moves and makes his free throws. All though everyone think that at 7′6 he should be averaging like 28-14, but thats not the case. He should average like 3 blocks a game at that height. Yao has improved a lot but he still carry’s the SOFT tag in his neck from time to time. And injury is his middle name along with TMAC.
Going with Aron Phillips-D-Howard just because he has potential to add more to his game.
I think D-Howard vs. Amare would of been better battle.
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Dagomar says:
Obviously anyone would rather have Howard on their team - youth, upside, durability, he’s got all the advantages. But in terms of talent/current ability:
Yao is a much, much, much better offensive player. His offensive game is on a completely different level from Dwight’s. He’s also a better passer.
Howard, on the other hand, is becoming a beast around the rim. He’s a better rebounder, better shot blocker, and most of all he’s a dominator. People are scared of Howard; can you say the same about Yao?
On the whole I would take Howard as the better centre; Yao the better player. Yao can flatout do more, but in my centre I want someone who dominates near the rim on both ends of the court. That’s Howard.
I’ll let my guards shoot the fadeaways.
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Dagomar says:
By the way, neither even sniffs Shaq or Dream back in the day, and I doubt either ever will.
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Austin Burton says:
@Dagomar — True. Back in the 1990s, Yao would have been on par with like a Rik Smits. Good, but not quite one of the best.
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:34 pm
D-Funkstar says:
I would take Yao for one reason.
At the end of the game you can give the ball to Yao and not worry about teams hacking him to send him to the free throw line.
Teams can hack Dwight ’cause he’s a terrible FT shooter. It would be like how the lakers would take Shaq out of close games in the end.
Also Head2Head Yao owns Superman.
I thought of antoher reason. If i owned a team i would choose Yao too ’cause of all the $$$ he would make me.
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:36 pm
snoop_robb says:
Yao Ming, best damn center in the game. Dwight is a monster, but yao is still a better bball player.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Dave says:
Dwight Howard is the better player. His defense and rebounding are incredible.
Howard doesn’t play well against Yao though.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Constnat says:
Dwight dominates every player in the league except for Yao and Bosh. Bosh and Yao have the full repetoire while Dwight is just a physical freak.
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Bean says:
Kendrick Perkins is the best centre in the league. Who else got a championship ring last year?
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Cavsfan says:
I know its a lil late but this is for sans. If dwight howard did anything but dunk I’m sure nate would block his ass too.
December 3rd, 2008 at 11:54 pm
johnsacrimoni says:
Dwight Howard’s defense is not incredible. Just because you block a lot of shots does not make you a great defender. What about all the times you gamble for the block and miss, then your guy gets an easy score? He is an average at best defensive player. Defense is about footwork, body positioning, and determination. Getting blocks and steals is nice but does not make you a great defender.
December 4th, 2008 at 12:11 am
kowtz says:
DEjAVU…
ORLANDO and HOUSTON…
SHAQ (Freak Specimen) versus OLAJUWON (Insane Skills)…
We all knew how that ended…
December 4th, 2008 at 2:05 am
Jay says:
Dwight is a great defender. Against the Celtics, his presence loomed so large in the paint. Orlando gave up a ton up points but that was because Pierce, Allen and Garnett were hot from outside and they’re a great passing team. The Celtics’ offense has been clicking for the past 6 games or so and when they’re rolling they’re hard to stop but whenever anyone ventured near the basket, they were all on the lookout for Dwight. The guy is nearly impossible to score over. Pierce is someone who attacks the basket with abandon but he had so much respect for Dwight’s defense that he avoided taking Dwight on.
I think the best low post defenders are Kendrick Perkins, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace and Dwight Howard and I think Howard might be the best of the bunch. The problems he present on defense are incredible. He’s strong as anything so it’s hard to back him down and establish good post position. You’re already not in a good situation. Then when you have to attempt the shot you have to contend with a man 6′10 1/2, with a 7′4 wingspan who is as explosive off his feet as Lebron is. It’s almost unfair how quickly he gets off his feet for his size. He’s also smart and doesn’t go for pumpfakes and he’s started to control his blocks like Bill Russell. It’s an awe-inspiring package. He blocks more shots of big men in embarrassing fashion than anybody in the league.
December 4th, 2008 at 2:35 am
JOB33 says:
Dwight’s a beast. Yao’s as soft as the pillow I’m about to lay my head on. If I could say the same about D-How? I would wake up with a migraine. Even if Yao averaged 30 and 10 and D-How? average 15 and 5 I’d take the Centaur over Yao just for the mere fact that dude is a beast and a competitor. Yao might be a competitor and all but homeboy is as soft as Charmin. That’s why D-How(’d do that) wipes his ass with him. Long story short, if Yao brought it like Dwight Every Night did, he’d be averaging 40 and 20 with that supersized ass of his. Yao’s got the skills, which you can learn, but not the toughness.
December 4th, 2008 at 2:36 am
JOB33 says:
I like the ring of that: Dwight Every Night
December 4th, 2008 at 2:41 am
JOB33 says:
And I agree with John, just because he blocks alot of shots does not make Dwight a great defender. You can block 3 shots, but put a guy on the line 12 times and that’s not good. I just like his heart. He seems like he genuinly wants to win and gets down on the court every night. Yao has always seemed like a whiner out there.
December 4th, 2008 at 5:08 am
Phileus says:
“ORLANDO and HOUSTON…
SHAQ (Freak Specimen) versus OLAJUWON (Insane Skills)…
We all knew how that ended…”
You mean Olajuwon got two championships as the only superstar on his team, when Shaq was still at the beginning of his prime?
Yao is a much better player than Howard, but Howard is a monster - and still much younger. Yao was thrown in a basketball camp from when he was young and was drilled fundamentals from morning till night. Dwight was not. But Dwight will learn and he will get better, while this is as good as we’ll ever see Yao. I take Yao now, but Dwight for the future.
And I wouldn’t say Yao was like Rik Smits, but more like Ewing. He’s a great center, but below the ranks of Olajuwon, Shaq, and even Robinson, and he’ll never lead you to a championship.
December 4th, 2008 at 5:38 am
iain. says:
@Jay:
I don’t agree with the point you make about Dwight being so strong and hard to back down. I think it was Sheed and some other guys who said that Dwight’s legs are so skinny that he cant hold position while playing post defence. Upper body sure hes a freak, but his core and legs are average if that.
Still rather take Dwight though. HES 22! HE COULD BE A SENIOR IN COLLEGE THIS YEAR! 20 R.P.G ANYONE??
December 4th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Yaoisnotgangstaenough says:
I’ll let my guards shoot the fadeaways
-
signed the dream shake.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:04 am
chinesedespot says:
Can’t help but bring to your attention that Yao wasn’t guarded by Zach Randolph one-on-one yesterday: just a glitch in your otherwise famously objective and neutral reportage on Yao…. so yes, who cares about Andre what’shisname? His team were throwing 2 or moe guys at Yao most plays, so sure, add another warm body to the mix.
Yes, I skimmed thru your comparison between Yao n Dwight: it was too boring to read in detail, and it seemed anyway like a one-sided affair. At least Austin put up cogent arguments; Howard was repped by some incoherent chap named after a Jewish Old Testament priest, who essentially made a series of empty claims and intoned ominously at the end: “just you wait till the playoffs” (uh… ok)
What really jumped out however was this line by Austin: “We live in an elitist, xenophobic America, and Yao isn’t one of us. Even if the bias isn’t malicious or conscious, it’s still there and it’s a reality.”
Who’s “us”? Why “we”? When did Dime join the ranks of racist America? Yes, some sections of American society may be racist, but what do they have to do with Dime? When did you guys claim to speak for elitist, xenophobic America? What happened to your ghetto spirit? And anyway, hasn’t America proved that it has overcome racism after Obama the “post-racial” (whatever that means) president? And what happened to all the progressives who filled Dime’s pages with their endless breast-beating for the power of hope and change? Has the euphoria faded already?
December 4th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Bron42 AkA Your Moms Best Friend says:
wow i dont even really need to say much this time lol…
dwight has youth, athletic ability, durability, still hasn’t reached his prime yet, and defense..a actual personallity…
yao has…a nice turn around jumper for a tall guy.
Yes yao can shoot for a tall guy and thats great but dwight averages 21 a game so its not like hes ben wallace or something. yaos shooting is super but its not like hes known for hitting game winners or clutch shots for the most part. Dwight can ONLY dunk and he still has a game winner off it…yaos prime is right now and he has a better supporting cast his whole career, yet hasn’t turned into anything with it. dwights gotten better ever year and is more well rounded. superman wins again
December 5th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
douglalr says:
arguments like the ones being made for Yao is why people like Marbury think he’s the best point guard in the league. Yao’s impact on the game is minimal (let’s forego the he’s always hurt argument (though most employers would want the worker who’s consistently there)) and look at impact. You have to game plan for Howard’s defense, and he’s giving you stats that Yao could only dream off (2 points are 2 points period). Yao played with Steve Francis at his best and Tracy McGrady yet he’s never made it out of the first round. For this he gets no blame because his teammate (Francis, or McGrady) are seen as the TRUE superstars who failed to step up. So where are the late game clutch moves and free throws everyone’s talking about? Don’t get me wrong…Yao is a star but at the current pace Howard is only one putting up hall of fame numbers…and according to everyone on the board…without any SKILLS at all…and definitely with far inferior teammates…Yao’s team won most of the 22 in a row without him. And they sure aren’t tearing up the league with him. I remember Sprewell only having a right hand but I also remember not too many people could stop him. Everyone knows all Howard does is dunk, but I don’t see Nate Robinson blocking his shot….buckets are buckets…oh and I’m going with Howard
December 6th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
smartguy says:
Lol I like it how people keep talking about how Yao is soft. He’s soft but he has schooled Dwight in about every meeting. Dwight supposedly wipes his ass with Yao but last game they met, Dwight couldn’t even hold Yao. Yao owned him, plain and simple. Yao is soft but Shaq himself said the two best low post players were Yao and Duncan.
December 6th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
smartguy says:
Yao’s impact on the game is minimal? Do you even watch basketball? Teams focus their defense to stop Yao. He gets doubled, tripled team in just about every game. To say his impact on the game is minimal shows your ignorance. Yao didn’t get hurt until after they won 12 straight of the 22 wins. Again, you got your “facts” wrong. Try watching actual games and not just sportscenter highlights. You might improve your severly lacking basketball knowlwdge.
You can’t go wrong with either, but to say Dwight is clearly better than Yao is ridiculous. And yes this is worth a debate.
December 8th, 2008 at 2:39 am
ac23 says:
douglalr, you amuse me with your ignorance.
You say teams have game plans for Howard, so you think when Yao comes to town the other team’s coaching staff just take a vacation? Stopping Yao is a top priority and often a headache for the opposing coaching staff. It’s obviously you haven’t watched Yao play, because his plays don’t appear on Sportscenter.
You asked “So where are the late game clutch moves and free throws everyone’s talking about?” Hello? Were you born last week? Wait, even in last week, Yao hit some clutch baskets and more importantly, clutch free throws to seal the victory. If you don’t know that already, free throws don’t show up on sportscenter.
So Yao’s teammate won most games in that 22-game winning streak? Here is hint, before you make bogus claims like this one, how about check out the stats first? NBA.com, Yahoo Sports, and countless other websites do track team game-by-game records going back at least a record.
Nate Robinson did block Yao. And that was a hell of a good play. But who won that game CONVINCINGLY? And who was the key contributor to that win?
Yao’s one of the most unathletic basketball players that I have ever seen. But he makes up for most of that with determination, strong will, and hard work ethics. I’m not gonna talk about his skills, if you don’t think Yao has skills then I suggest you save some money and get league pass.
All right, I’m glad that’s settled. Now to the Dwight Howard comparison:
Dwight Howard is one of the most gifted young players in this league. He’s undoubtedly one of the best players on this planet and he’s still only 23. He surpasses most with his athleticism, defense, and leadership. Sky’s the limit for Dwight Howard, and he needs to be able to score from five feet away and needs to be more effective when confronted with a double team. Quoting Yao in 2006, “He’ll be better than me within five years”. And I’m looking forward to that day.
Who’s better right now? Yao, hands down. Ask me the same question in five years, and I hope to answer differently.
December 16th, 2008 at 1:59 am
heartbreaker85 says:
dwight vs yao is like young shaq vs hakeem-prime. one dude was a monster and bullying his way through the competition, the other was just plain nasty, schooling other quality C’s.
can’t say the same for d12 or yao though, they’re stuck playing against dalembert, camby, miller, blount, curry <— not exactly the best competition out there.
February 19th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
CP3YNOT says:
I like both players but Yao has more potential than Dwight. I’m not saying Dwight sucks, in fact he’s very good. I’m just saying that Yao is better offensively. Not defensively. Overall I got to give it to my Big Man!!!
Yao Ming!!!
August 30th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Jeremy says:
yao is much much much better i love watching him play finishes with both hands he is the best centre in the world by a long way great mid range jumper he is a better man to man defender
dwight is a better rebounder and weak side shot blocker
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:50 am
Nameless says:
Do people even watch the games of these too and compare how teams try to stop them?
If you looked at how the Lakers played Dwight during the playoffs you know he is 1-sided player.
Yes Yao isn’t great on Defense, but he is still a good defensive player.
Dwight is just a Freakish athlete. Yao is a fundamentally sounded center.
Imagine if they switched bodies and kept their same skill set?