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Prime Dikembe Mutombo vs Prime Yao Ming, who would you rather have if healthy?

Yao's offense makes him the clear choice in my opinion. Mutombo is the superior defender, but Yao is no slouch on defense either. A post scorer of Yao's caliber is simply more valuable than a post defender, even one as accomplished as Mutombo.

Yao, probably the best most refined post game in the leauge and an underrated defender. If he actually had some playoff success people would talk about him like they talk about Duncan.

Farsi Man wrote:If he actually had some playoff success people would talk about him like they talk about Duncan.

If by playoff success, you mean 4 championships then yeah....

As much as I am in awe of Deke's superb defense even in his old age, I'd still take Yao, because his offensive superiority outstrips Deke's defensive superiority.

Mutombo was a great shotblocker, a very good rebounder, an ok post scorer, and a class act with his help for his homeland plus he had that one year where he carried a weak Philly team to the finals. Still, although Yao hasn't really seemed to make his team better (McGrady only steps up his game when Yao is out it seems), he is just a far more versatile player and his prime should continue for quite a few years more if he stays healthy.

Yao's defense >>>>>>> Deke's offense.

Still, although Yao hasn't really seemed to make his team better (McGrady only steps up his game when Yao is out it seems),

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I actually think yao does make his team better as houston can not beat elite teams such as the spurs, phoenix etc without yao.

Well "all" Yao does is give spot up shooters better looks. His passing out of double and triple teams isn't even all that good. Though I am not sure how you can make your teammates better than giving them wide open looks. Even Lebron, Kobe, McGrady, etc. can't help their teammates make shots.

Yao's defense is underrated because everyone expects a 7"6 player to get 3-4 blocks per game at least. The problem with that expectation is that Yao has short arms and can't jumper very high; also the reason why he almost never wins a tip off. But what Yao does do on defense aside from his 2 (I think it is) blocks per game is alter a ton of shots that do not show up on the box score. Also when people post him up and try to push him in it's like trying to push a tree trunk.