Quote:
Originally Posted by BobboFitos
going to just repeat myself here:
I am not a fan of defensive rating (assani is) but Yao actually has slightly better defensive ratings then Zo. Further, Yao's teams have historically been atop the league leaders in defensive efficiency; I'd have to do some digging (im not prepared to do) but I don't recall those hornets teams being defensive juggernauts. (I could be wrong here, I didn't ever watch the charlotte hornets!) So, to say Zo is "def" better at defense is misleading; I would chalk them to being pretty similar. Both can anchor a d, that is for sure. Offensively though, Yao is "def" better, which overall, makes him the better player.
just look at the season comparison here:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/...rnal01&y2=1998
Where are you getting it that they are similar offensively? I don't see it. Using words as poetry is interesting, when you say things like and scorers would specifically not drive to the bucket if he is in there. (about Zo's defense) but why is this not the case with Yao? Keep in mind he was about half a foot taller then Zo! So shouldnt this be even more the case??
intimidation is a huge factor in basketball. Yao is slow and can barely move around the paint, so other players besides the man that yao is assigned to can pretty much avoid him easily. ALthough one on one he might be equal to zo defensively, he has nowhere near the mobility to defend the whole paint the way zo did. Also mentioned was the fact zo can defend pick an rolls as well.
its like in football, your not gonna throw to your WR that is covered by deion, your not gonna drive to the bucket to confront alonzo.
There is just so many options a coach can have on defense with a guy like zo, and as a coach your super limited with yao out there. What kind of traps and help side defenses can you setup with yao out there who moves like a snail opposes to zo who can cover most guards as long as they were below the top circle.
Its true in the nba, getting past 7 2 is a bad thing. Your height now becomes a liability because it slows you down so badly, especially latterally where you have to defend pick an rolls and such.