Shawn Kemp vs Yao Ming

[migya]

That's strange criticism, given that:

1. Yao took way more shots than Kemp ever did, so it seems that he was more assertive than Shawn.

2. Kemp was never close to all-time great big, so Yao wouldn't need that to overcome Kemp.

Kemp was a better player on both ends, if you think otherwise that's with you, Kemp wasn't elite but he played well against most of the best bigs ever. Yao couldn't even dominate with only Dwight as the significant big in his era.

You havent watched Yao, or even looked at his b-ref page, have you?

There's no magic on there.

[tsherkin]

Kemp was a better player on both ends, if you think otherwise that's with you, Kemp wasn't elite but he played well against most of the best bigs ever. Yao couldn't even dominate with only Dwight as the significant big in his era.

You havent watched Yao, or even looked at his b-ref page, have you?

There's no magic on there.

No, just obvious contravention of your stance on Yao v Kemp on offense.

[rand]

Kemp better on both ends. Yao could've been so much more out seems but was fairly soft.

How is Kemp a better offensive player than Yao??? What does he even do better besides dunking........

His shooting, scoring inside and creation. Yao had his height.

And he was soft. He was not assertive which is why he was only allstar for calibre and was never anywhere near the level of the alltime great bigs and should've been much better with no other real star big after Shaq exited his prime.

Not assertive ≠ soft

I agree Yao wasn't assertive, but no way was he soft. He was a hard nosed competitor and mentally strong. Went toe to toe with 2003 Shaq as a rookie. Dominated Dwight throughout their careers. Battled through big injuries. The guy was a winner whose body just gave out on him.

[ronnymac2]

Kemp at his peak gives you 20 PPG, 3.5 OREBs, 2 APG, and 4 TOV in 33 MPG. I couldn't fathom how Kemp averaged 4 TOVs per game until I watched him play for one of those old projects. This is a guy, mind you, on a team that provided him with spacing (in an era that brought in the arc) and with an all-star level on-ball creator who targeted him in Payton and one of the smoothest, most high-iq post-entry passers ever in Detlef Schremph. Kemp thought he can and should make decisions with a basketball in his hands. He shouldn't ever have. His offensive IQ makes Dwight look like Chris Paul.

I would take Yao for this comparison. LOL at anybody thinking Yao was soft. Dude played half his career in pain and still soldiered through. Probably the only super giant to play above 30 MPG.

[prolific passer]

Yao wasn't soft. Just fragile. His career is pretty similar to Ralph Sampson's. Started out healthy his first 3 years in the league but then got injuries and had to retire early.

I went Kemp due to what he did from 91-97 alone. Gave Hakeem the most problems when Hakeem was in his prime during that stretch. Not to mention beat Malone when Malone was in his prime also. Nearly beat mvp Barkley and did all he can against mvp Jordan and the 72-10 bulls in the 96 finals.

[Jaivl]

Oh, yeah, I think Kemp easily has the better prime, if only by health alone. Got sidetracked by the ridiculous statements of one poster.

[HeartBreakKid]

His shooting, scoring inside and creation. Yao had his height.

And he was soft. He was not assertive which is why he was only allstar for calibre and was never anywhere near the level of the alltime great bigs and should've been much better with no other real star big after Shaq exited his prime.

Kemp was an excellent creator indeed - of fast breaks for the opposing teams.

Yao was a much better finisher too from basically every angle. Have you even watched Kemp play outside of highlight dunks or that one Houston series? Kemp had nice percentages because he was a monster offensive rebounder and putback dunker, not because he was some exceptional finisher in the half court.

Sounds like you haven't watched Kemp play. He was a great finisher in many different ways, He scored on Rodman in the finals and against Phoenix is in 93 is another one you should look at.

Wow he scored on Dennis Rodman?! holy crap

[dennythedino]

Kemp at his peak gives you 20 PPG, 3.5 OREBs, 2 APG, and 4 TOV in 33 MPG. I couldn't fathom how Kemp averaged 4 TOVs per game until I watched him play for one of those old projects. This is a guy, mind you, on a team that provided him with spacing (in an era that brought in the arc) and with an all-star level on-ball creator who targeted him in Payton and one of the smoothest, most high-iq post-entry passers ever in Detlef Schremph. Kemp thought he can and should make decisions with a basketball in his hands. He shouldn't ever have. His offensive IQ makes Dwight look like Chris Paul.

I would take Yao for this comparison. LOL at anybody thinking Yao was soft. Dude played half his career in pain and still soldiered through. Probably the only super giant to play above 30 MPG.

Kemp was also extremely foul-prone, hence why he didn't play as much minutes as some of his contemporaries.

He was basically Blake Griffin with better defense but an iffier jumpshot and less playmaking ability.

[Statlanta]

Kemp, Yao probably would have had a better peak if he was healthy but he wasn't and that's why we play the games.

[homecourtloss]

Kemp was an excellent creator indeed - of fast breaks for the opposing teams.

Yao was a much better finisher too from basically every angle. Have you even watched Kemp play outside of highlight dunks or that one Houston series? Kemp had nice percentages because he was a monster offensive rebounder and putback dunker, not because he was some exceptional finisher in the half court.

Sounds like you haven't watched Kemp play. He was a great finisher in many different ways, He scored on Rodman in the finals and against Phoenix is in 93 is another one you should look at.

Wow he scored on Dennis Rodman?! holy crap

That was my first thought reading that. What I’m most astonished by is 15 years of seeing threads here and reading the thoughts about various players and NONE of it—NONE has changed any opinions about anything. It’s still ‘90s + Jordan >>>> anything and everything.