Swap Yao Ming with Dwight Howard: Rockets better or worst?

[KungFuJoe]

I like Yao and don't like Dwight but I feel like Dwight is getting underrated here.

Prime Dwight was a monster on both ends. Especially defense.

Yao Mings offensive game was polished but he could be bodied and muscled and taken out of his comfort zone. He was also prone to stamina issues and his defense suffered from it. He was also never a good rebounder for his size.

Basically, the term "soft" was used for Yao quite a bit when he played. He was more finesse than power.

Again, I'm a Yao Ming fan but he just wasn't an impactful player. Dwight was and can still be on the right team. Remember Houston went on that crazy 20 something game winning streak when Yao was hurt.

Dwight > Yao

[rezznor]

Dwight Career Stats Reb:12.8 Ast:1.5 Block: 2.1 Pts: 18.2

Yao Ming Career- Reb 9.2 Ast: 1.6 Blcks:1.9 Pts:19.0

yao is underrated as a defender. one stat that doesn't show up is how many shots yao CHANGES due to his sheer size. not as flashy as blocks, but he defended the paint quite effectively.

[FKAri]

Yao is actually a better post defender. Dwight's defensive advantage is (was?) in his mobility. Dwight's much better hard showing and running back to his man and on switches in general.

Offensively: ofcourse Yao. Better isolation scorer, better catch and shoot player and most importantly a reliable free throw shooter.

[Genaro]

Prime D12 because of his defense but prime Yao is better than current Dwight.

[Milbuck]

Peak Orlando Dwight > any version of Yao.

But peak Yao in place of current Dwight...the Rockets are winning it all.

[inclinerator]

we got a glimpse of what yao's prime could have been, but was cut short due to injuries, an unstoppable sky hook , good midrange, great passer and you cant intentionally foul him

[Jameerthefear]

Yao was an underrated defender. His low post defense was much better than Dwight. At that time, Yao didnt get the verticality benefit that guys like Hibbert gets now. Refs used to call fouls on him even if he was vertical. 7,6 Yao with the Hibbert verticality rule would be a better defender than Dwight.

Yao on these Rockets would be the best player on the team. Dwight is not right now.

no he wouldn't. dwight is one of the best defenders to ever play basketball. yao was just so slow footed. it GREATLY hindered his defense.

[Jameerthefear]

Yao is actually a better post defender. Dwight's defensive advantage is (was?) in his mobility. Dwight's much better hard showing and running back to his man and on switches in general.

Offensively: ofcourse Yao. Better isolation scorer, better catch and shoot player and most importantly a reliable free throw shooter.

yao might have been better on post defense but no one posts up and dwight was phenomenal at post defense too.

[Jameerthefear]

I like Yao and don't like Dwight but I feel like Dwight is getting underrated here.

Prime Dwight was a monster on both ends. Especially defense.

Yao Mings offensive game was polished but he could be bodied and muscled and taken out of his comfort zone. He was also prone to stamina issues and his defense suffered from it. He was also never a good rebounder for his size.

Basically, the term "soft" was used for Yao quite a bit when he played. He was more finesse than power.

Again, I'm a Yao Ming fan but he just wasn't an impactful player. Dwight was and can still be on the right team. Remember Houston went on that crazy 20 something game winning streak when Yao was hurt.

Dwight > Yao

this. yao reminds me of vucevic in a way.

[JellyBean]

A healthy Yao makes the Rockets way better than they are with Dwight.

[oarabbus]

6'11" vs 7'6" with better post moves

[Jameerthefear]

6'11" vs 7'6" with better post moves

except yao didn't really impact the game.

[BigNBAfan]

worse

[KNOW1EDGE]

What kind of fuhcking question is that?

Of fuhcking course they would be better.

Not sure if OP is serious.

Add a healthy Yao and the Rockets are in the WCF instead of a first round exit

[BigNBAfan]

except yao didn't really impact the game.

dude in 02 you were what 2-4 years old? stfu