Dorian Finney-Smith's Salute: A Gesture of Respect and Resilience

Most people think Yao Ming was just a slow, towering big man who relied on size alone. But the truth? Yao was WAY quicker than anyone expected!
At 7’6” & 310 lbs, he had elite footwork, fast reactions, and deceptive speed—a nightmare for defenders! Let’s break down why Yao’s quickness was so underrated!
Unlike most giant centers, Yao had:
✅ Quick, smooth post moves
✅ Lightning-fast spin moves in the paint
✅ The ability to adjust mid-air like a guard!
His agility made him impossible to guard one-on-one!
At 7’6”, Yao shouldn’t have been able to explode past defenders—but he DID!
π₯ Could drive past slower centers with ease
π₯ Used long strides to cover ground quickly
π₯ Caught defenders off guard with his burst!
Even elite defenders like Shaq & Tim Duncan struggled to stay in front of him!
Most super-tall players are slow to react, but Yao?
✅ Elite timing on blocks
✅ Could recover fast even if beaten
✅ Swatted shots WITHOUT fouling!
That’s why he averaged 1.9 blocks per game for his career!
Yao wasn’t just physically quick—he was mentally quick too!
✅ Made instant reads against double-teams
✅ Quickly passed out of the post when needed
✅ Could switch from fadeaways to drives in a split second!
This made him one of the smartest big men ever!
Most 7-footers struggled in transition—but Yao kept up with guards!
π₯ Got up and down the court faster than expected
π₯ Could beat other centers in fast breaks
π₯ Finished strong in transition opportunities
His work ethic & conditioning helped him stay quick despite his size!
Yao’s signature fadeaway was unguardable because:
✅ He created space FAST with one-step fade
✅ Released the ball at an impossible height
✅ Could shoot over anyone, anytime
Even Kevin Garnett & Dirk Nowitzki had trouble contesting his shot!
In the 2006 playoffs, Yao:
π Averaged 25.1 PPG & 10.4 RPG!
π Dominated quick defenders like Elton Brand & Tim Duncan
π Scored with SPEED, not just strength!
This was when the world realized Yao wasn’t just a slow giant—he was a SKILLED, QUICK big man!
πΉ 8x NBA All-Star
πΉ Career 19.0 PPG & 9.2 RPG
πΉ Shot 52.4% from the field
πΉ Hall of Fame Inductee (2016)
Despite injuries cutting his career short, Yao’s skill & quickness made him an all-time legend!
His quick feet, reflexes, and decision-making made him one of the most unique centers EVER!
What do YOU think? Was Yao the most skilled giant in NBA history? Drop your thoughts below! ππ₯