Yao Ming

NBA: Top Six Centers

Hoopsworld — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 07:02:59 -0700

There was a time, not too long ago, when the NBA paint was a far scarier place. There was a time when All-NBA First and Second teams were populated by names like Olajuwon, Ewing, Robinson, and O'Neal. Nowadays, with Shaq on his last legs, guys like The Dream and Diesel are dinosaurs. Nonetheless, there are some talented young bigs out there that are trying to revolutionize the game in their own unique way.

One of the tricky aspects of putting a list like this together is debating which players qualify as "centers" and which players are classified as "power forwards." So, for purposes of classification, let's go with the NBA league headquarters' decision. When they create All-Star ballots and mail-out All-NBA Team voting slips, they list certain players at certain positions. Technically, they attempt to list each player at the position they regularly play. For instance, although Timmy Duncan is a back-to-the-basket seven-footer, he is officially listed as a forward; whereas Amare Stoudemire has been listed as a center. So, instead of wasting time debating taxonomy, let's go with the NBA's official categorization and move on from there…

Also, for ranking purposes, I am determining this list by asking myself the following question, "If I were an NBA GM and I could choose any center in the NBA to build my team around this season, whom would I choose and in what order?"

With that preamble out of the way, let the debate begin:

*****

1. Dwight Howard – Orlando Magic: Simply stated, D Howard is the most dominant, impressive, physically-freakish center to come into the league since Shaq. The numbers Howard posted last season, at the tender age of 22, are simply astonishing. He averaged 20.7 points per game (while shooting 60% from the floor), a league-leading 14.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. He recorded an NBA-high 69 double-doubles, including eight 20-20 games. As a point of comparison, Shaq never averaged 14 boards a contest in a given season. In fact, since 1980, there have been only three other players in the NBA to have averaged over 14 rebounds and 20 PPG in the same season: Charles Barkley, Moses Malone, and Hakeem Olajuwon. Howard isn't nicknamed Superman just because he put on a costume in the Dunk Contest last year; he just happens to be that good. Actually, the scary part is that Howard may just be Superboy at this stage of his development. What kind of numbers will be put up when he develops a full complement of dependable low-post moves? Or if he ever starts making free-throws? He has improved exponentially every year he has been in the league; what level will he ascend to in 2008-2009? One last note on Howard, he has never missed a game in his four-year NBA career (continuing on the superhero theme – should we also call him Ironman?). When choosing between players to build your franchise around, durability is obviously a major concern. Thus, the combination of sheer athletic ability, proven production, talent, and toughness makes Dwight Howard the clear choice.

2. Amare Stoudemire – Phoenix Suns: Amare is the highest scoring center in the league and is coming off an extraordinary season, arguably the best all-around campaign of his career - proving that STAT is all the way back. He finished fifth in the league in scoring (25.2 PPG), and of the top 18 scorers in the league, he was the only player to shoot above 50% from the floor. (He ended the season shooting an astonishing 59%) Yes, playing with Steve Nash in Phoenix's up-tempo offensive system likely inflates his impressive statistics, but if you stuck Amare at center (he will play a lot of PF with Shaq in town now) in any NBA city, he would be a beast.

3. Yao Ming – Houston Rockets: When he is healthy and playing at his best, Yao is as good as any big man in the League. The problem for Yao has been staying on the floor. He once again missed a healthy chunk of the 2007-2008 season, marking the third consecutive campaign in which Yao has missed at least 25 games. He is now averaging just 53 games played per season since 2005. Again, when feels good and is on his game, he is incredibly efficient (over 50% from the floor and 85%) and undeniably effective (a consistent 20/10 guy). But Yao's propensity for injuries is one of the main reasons why he finds himself at #3 on this list.

Next Tier –

4. Pau Gasol – Los Angeles Lakers: After the top three centers listed above, there is a steep drop-off. The steady Gasol checks in at number four. Pau will likely play more power forward with Bynum in the Lakers lineup, but he did a solid job manning the middle for LA last season. With career averages of 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and over 3 assists, Gasol doesn't typically dominate, but he is multitalented and remarkably consistent.

5. Marcus Camby – Los Angeles Clippers: Camby won't score much, but he definitely patrols the paint, cleans the backboards, and protects the basket. Camby, fresh off winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2006-2007, produced a statically startling '07-'08 campaign. He averaged over 13 rebounds, 3.6 blocks, 1.1 steals, and even dished out a 3.3 assists per game for good measure.

6. Al Jefferson – Minnesota Timberwolves: Minnesotans are still getting over the loss of Kevin Garnett, but having Al Jefferson locked-up long term has to soften the blow a great deal. T-Wolves fans were excited about Jefferson heading into last season, but even the most ardent optimist had to have been pleasantly surprised with just how well Big Al played. In fact, he was the only player in the entire league last season to average over 21 points and 11 rebounds per game. Moreover, he was also one of only three players in the Association to average over 21 PPG and shot at least 50% from the floor (Carlos Boozer and Amare were the other two.) Already one of the best bigs in the business, Jefferson, at just 23 years of age, has the potential to be a special, special player. If we recreate this list next summer, Big Al will likely rank much higher.

Honorable Mention:
Emeka Okafor - Charlotte Bobcats: Taken just after Dwight Howard in the 2004 draft, Okafor has been solid, if unspectacular, through his first four years in the league. Emeka has dealt with the injury bug and has seen his scoring hover below 14 PPG since scoring over 15 points his rookie season. But last year, Okafor played in all 82 games and this summer was rewarded with an enormous contract extension. The potential to be a dominant center is there, we shall see if Emeka takes that next step.

Chris Kaman – LA Clippers: With Elton Brand sidelined last season, Kaman put the Clips on his back and came out of the blocks on fire. His pre-All-Star break numbers were just ridiculous - 16.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 3 blocks. However, Kaman succumbed to injury and only played in 11 games over the second half of the season. With Marcus Camby by his side in '08-'09, Kaman will look to prove his production last season wasn't a fluke.

Tyson Chandler – New Orleans Hornets: After the Chicago Bulls basically gave up on him and essentially sold him to the Hornets, Chandler has experienced a career resurgence running alongside Chris Paul in New Orleans. Last season, Tyson was one of just four players in the NBA to average over 11 points and 11 boards. He also shot 62.3% from the floor, second only to Andris Biedrins.

Andrew Bynum – LA Lakers: Giving Bynum an honorable mention nod is a speculative selection, as we don't know if a healthy AB shows up this season. However, over the first few months of the '07-'08 season, Bynum's emergence, and at times dominance, was startling. He averaged nearly 15 points and 11 rebounds (while shooting 65.6% from the floor and blocking 2.3 shots per contest) in the 25 games he started prior to injuring his left knee in January. Any time a 20-year-old center can post those kinds of numbers, the league will take notice. Lakers fans are hoping Bynum is the real deal and from the looks of it, he has spent his time off in the weight room…

Rasheed Wallace – Detroit Pistons: One of the most underrated players in the NBA, Wallace's versatility from the center position is remarkable. Yes, 'Sheed racks up plenty of technicals, but he also stuffs the stat sheet. Last season Wallace was one of just four players in the NBA to average at least 1 steal, 1 block, and 1 three-pointer made per game – the other four were LeBron James, Danny Granger, Shane Battier, and Rudy Gay.

Yaosers: Team USA Beats China 101-70

Press Release — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:30:13 -0700

The U.S. men's Olympic basketball team dazzled President Bush and perhaps a billion more fans in one of the most anticipated events of the Summer Games.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and company put on a dunk contest Sunday night against China, playing up to the basketball-crazed Chinese fans that packed the arena.

While the U.S. squad struggled shooting jump shots, the Americans soared for an array of reverse slams and tomahawk jams drawing oohs and ahhs from the fans as they cruised to a 101-70 victory.

Former Demon Deacon Chris Paul came off the bench to dish out a game-high six assists. The point guard, making his first Olympic appearance, played 20 minutes and finished with three points, three rebounds and a pair of steals.

Of the team's three point guards, which also include Jason Kidd and Deron Williams, Paul played the most minutes against China.

Wade scored 19 points, and James had 18 for the Americans. Kobe Bryant finished with 13 points.

But the score and the game didn't seem to matter, this was an event.

China's Yao Ming, an All-Star center for the Houston Rockets, finished with 13 points. He started the showcase by drilling a 3-pointer from the top of the key for the first score of the game.

Bush and his family were wrapping up another long day of sports, more than 12 hours after they watched swimmer Michael Phelps win his first gold medal of these Games.

The guys Bush caught here expect to bring home gold, too.

The Americans made 21 of their first 25 shots inside the 3-point arc, though they had another inept night behind it. Still, with James, Wade and Bryant repeatedly getting out on the break, the poor 3-point shooting wasn't a problem on this night.

NBA players are wildly popular in China, where the league estimates 300 million people play basketball. The Americans, still known as the Dream Team here, enjoyed a huge backing during exhibition games in Macau and Shanghai, support that will surely help them here on their gold-medal quest.

Bush came out first, walking to his seat above center court about a half hour before the 10:15 start. He was still shaking hands and slapping five with fans around him minutes later when Yao, back from season-ending foot surgery in March, led China's players onto the floor to a thunderous ovation.

The Chinese team gathered in the center circle and waved to their flag-waving fans, then began their pregame warm-ups. Fans remained standing and let out another roar when Yao made his first hoop -- possibly the first standing ovation ever for a layup line.

The Americans sprinted out a few minutes later to an ovation that was just as loud. They were wearing their home white uniforms -- and it felt like a game with two home teams. A listener going just by the noise from the crowd would have never known which team just scored.Fans throughout the arena chanted "Jia You! Jia You!" [Let's go!] and cheered plays on both ends. There was nothing resembling a boo until the referees called Yao for a blocking foul, instead of the charge he hoped for, on a basket by James almost 5 minutes into the game.

Yao's 3-pointer to start the game sent the crowd back into a frenzy and China stayed in the game for a while by hitting from behind the arc. The Chinese hit eight of their first 12 attempts, with Sun Yue's 3 tying it at 29 with 6:09 remaining in the second quarter.

Olympics: Rating Team USA's Competition

Hoopsworld — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:44:47 -0700

By: Jason Fleming

Most people who read HOOPSWORLD, or any other sports news site, are pretty familiar with Team USA and how the team has been built. They know the intriguing player combinations the US can put on the floor, be it Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James in the power positions or young point guard studs Chris Paul and Deron Williams together in the backcourt.

But how much do people know about Team USA's competition for gold at the Beijing Olympics? Who are their star players? How did they get to Beijing?

The biggest competition for gold is widely regarded to be Argentina, Greece, China, Spain and Germany. Let's take a quick look at each of the contenders, in no particular order.

Argentina

Players to Watch: Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola, Carlos Delfino, Andres Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto

Argentina is in the Games because they were the runner up to the United States at the 2007 FIBA Tournament of the Americas in Las Vegas. They also are the defending gold medal winners, having taken the top spot at the 2004 Games in Greece. If there is one team that will not be intimidated by the NBA players on Team USA, it's Argentina – they play with and against these guys every night. Delfino, actually, was Chris Bosh's teammate last season in Toronto.

Argentina also just won the Diamond Ball tournament in preparation for the Games, a tourney that also included China, Serbia and Australia.

China

Players to Watch: Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian, Wang Zhi Zhi, Liu Wei

China is in by virtue of being the host of the Games, but they'd be a force anyway. Any team that can put the size on the floor they can with a line of Yao, Yi and Wang is going to be difficult to handle, plus this team is well-drilled on the basics. The biggest question is whether or not their guards will be strong enough to keep with the likes of Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant. Also, don't underestimate the factor of playing for the home crowd in China – the Chinese team will want to leave a good impression.

Germany

Players to Watch: Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Kaman, Patrick Femerling, Steffan Hamman

Germany qualified for the Games by beating Puerto Rico in Athens at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament to claim the last spot in the Olympics. This was the first berth in the Games for Germany since 1992. This team, despite being the last one in, could give USA fits. Remember all the talk about Team USA lacking size? A matchup with Germany – which will happen in the preliminary round – will see the US and it's only three true power players having to deal with a German team that boasts six players 6-10 and taller, four of those at least seven feet. For a team that hasn't been that impressive rebounding the ball in exhibition games with Turkey and Lithuania, that could be a problem.

Greece

Players to Watch: Andreas Glyniadakis, Vasileious Spanoulis, Sofoklis Schortsanitis, Antonis Fotsis

Greece made the games through the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament as well. Like Germany they have plenty of big men, with five players measuring 6-10 or taller, but may play a more physical game than the Americans are expecting. Greece also has plenty of good shooters and took second in the last major tournament, the FIBA World Championships in 2006 in Japan. They finished fifth at the last Olympics as the home team.

Spain

Players to Watch: Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Rudy Fernandez, Jose Calderon, Ricky Rubio

Don't know who Ricky Rubio is? He's a top prospect for the 2009 NBA Draft, so take a good long look. How about the other Gasol? He's going to be playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. And Fernandez? He's looking to join a long-term backcourt trio of himself, Brandon Roy and Jerryd Bayless in Portland. This team, winners of the 2006 FIBA World Championships, is very, very good. In addition to the five players mentioned above the team also includes Juan Carlos Navarro (who returned to Europe this year after a season with the Memphis Grizzlies) and Jorge Garbajosa (bought out of his Toronto Raptors contract after a series of leg injuries). Mark your calendar for Saturday, August 16th at 10:15 pm (Beijing time – Friday, August 15th, 1:15 pm Pacific time, 4:15 pm Eastern time). That game, though it will be only a preliminary one, should be fantastic.

Artest vs Yao: The Hilarity Is Just Beginning

Hoopsworld — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:09:26 -0700

By: Bill Ingram

It's always best for two people to sit down together and have a face-to-face conversation rather than play "He Said/He Said" back and forth through the media.

In this case, we're talking about Yao Ming, who is in China preparing for the Olympics, and Ron Artest, who is in America preparing to move to Houston. A reporter asks Yao what he thinks about Ron Artest joining the team, then gets into specifics about certain situations, and runs the series of answers together to give readers a feel for what Yao's feelings on the subject are.

The first thing to understand about Yao is he doesn't give long, detailed answers to questions in English. He will answer your question and answer it completely to the best of his ability, but he rarely goes off on tangents or give nuanced answers. His English has improved radically since his rookie season, but it's still not anywhere close to complete mastery. When you see him give a two-part answer understand that he was asked two questions and the answers were put together.

For instance, if he were asked specifically about the brawl between the Pistons and Pacers, he would respond very specifically to what was asked.

Here's a quote from an interview Yao did with The Houston Chronicle:

"There's worry. Obviously, yes," said Yao. "We will think about it, of course. Hopefully, he's not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands."

A specific question was asked here; something to the effect of: "Are you concerned about Artest's involvement in the brawl, where he was fighting with a guy in the stands?"

Yao responds very specifically and using much of the same language that was used in the question.

Don't mistake this for someone asking him what he thought of Artest and him saying he was worried Ron was going to fight people in the stands.

So it's important to understand the context of questions and the way Yao answers them in English. It's very specific, and always a direct response. He will never, never try to make someone look bad.

Second, you have to take into account the code of personal accountability and honor in which Yao was raised. Remember how Yao wouldn't dunk the ball when he first came to the NBA because he was worried that it might make his opponent look bad? This is not a guy who's going to easily overlook the kind of behavior we saw from Artest in Detroit . . .or, frankly, the other antics we've seen from Artest in the past. Yao conducts himself with the utmost discipline at all times, always concerned with how his own behavior will reflect his country and his culture.

"I understand what Yao said, but I'm still ghetto," Artest said in the same article. "That's not going to change. I'm never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don't think he's ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture."

See the difference? Artest says exactly what's on his mind without worrying about how it might be perceived. If he ticks people off, he shrugs it off as people not understanding his culture. And he might be right. There are no more juxtaposed cultures that Artest's self-described "ghetto, black" culture and the prim and proper Chinese culture.

Does that mean they can't get along?

Absolutely not!

All it means is that these two will be better off once they've had a sit down, face-to-face conversation. Once they understand their common language: basketball . . .and their common desire: to win an NBA championship . . .they'll become fast friends, or at least friendly colleagues.

"Once Yao Ming gets to know me, he'll understand what I'm about," Artest told the Chronicle. "But really, he doesn't have to talk to me, because to me, I'm going (to Houston)."

"I haven't talked to Ron yet, so it's hard to say," said Yao. "I have to find a way to talk to him and see what we can do as a basketball team. He has a history. But we know he is a physical player. He is a good player. He really can help us."

Does that sound like two guys who won't get along?

Ron Artest is going to be a Houston Rocket, and at some point in the very near future he'll sit down with Yao and talk about the big picture. Once these two world-class athletes understand each other's desire to win, everything else will fall into place.