269 sats \ 9 replies \ @gnilma 30 May \ on: NBA What If's Stacker_Sports
As a Chinese immigrant kid growing up watching basketball in the 90s and 2000s, and as a kid who played center for my elementary school basketball team, I had always loved watching the center position. When Yao Ming entered the league in 2002, he really caught my attention, because he's Chinese, and also because he's a 7ft6 center, and also because apparently, he can shoot!? Expectations for Yao were high, but he did not disappoint. As a traditional center that dominates the paint but also can shoot mid range shots and free throws, Yao meant trouble for his opponents. His first ever game against Shaq was an instant classic, and Yao only got better as he continued to gain experience in the league and improved chemistry with his teammates.
Yao's first game versus Shaq
However, after 3 strong seasons playing in the NBA, missing only 2 games out of 246 games (LOL load management?) in the 3 seasons, Yao would start to be injury plagued. I believe the worst of it was a broken bone in his left foot, which never really healed and always had lingering problems.
I always wonder, if TMac wasn't injured during the Rockets' playoff run in 2009, and if Yao was not sidelined after game 3, could they have made it to the finals and beat the Magic? I mean, they took Kobe's Lakers to game 7 with Ron F-ing Artest and Aaron F-ing Brooks... If the Rockets had TMac and Yao, they had a solid chance of beating Kobe's and Pau's Lakers, right? They can for sure beat Melo's Nuggets and Dwight's Magic, right? Yao should be able to get a ring during those Jordan-less, Curry-dominant-less, LeBron-dominant-less years, right?
If it wasn't for the injuries, Yao's career would have been longer, and probably filled with several more all star selections, a few more all NBA selections, and maybe even get a ring to go along with it. Even though Yao had an accomplished NBA career and he is already inducted into the basketball hall of fame, I always thought he could have accomplished more if it wasn't for the injuries.
FYI @grayruby, above are my thoughts.
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Definitely a great pick. Yao's one of only two players (Hakeem being the other) who I've ever heard Shaq acknowledge being a problem for him to play against.
Looking back, I think I was always biased against centers and have only come to appreciate their games as an adult.
As a short point guard, I admired the more athletic "skilled" players, but didn't recognize how skilled guys like Shaq and Yao actually were.
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When you're short, it just feels like they have such an unfair advantage. It's easy to overlook the footwork, balance, touch, anticipation, and everything else that goes into playing well in the post.
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How old is your son?
My older son is turning 12 this year, but have yet to hit his growth spurt. I'm 5'11" and really hoping my son will grow taller than me. My daughter, on the other hand, is turning 13 this year and is already taller than my wife. I guess girls hit puberty earlier than boys in general.