Dwight Howard recently hailed Yao Ming as one of the toughest players he faced in his career. During the 2000s, the big men dominated the league. Shaquille O’Neal was in his prime. In the 2002 draft, Yao Ming was the overall #1 pick. Two years later, Dwight Howard also became the number 1 pick. And the conversation about the best center was rampant in the league, making it the must-see TV for the fans.

Now, a former teammate of Howard gave his two cents on why Ming was better. Appearing on the Mark Jackson Show, Rafer Alston touched on many topics, where one of them was selecting his all-time starting five teammates. Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Ray Allen, Dwyane Wade, and Yao Ming were his selections.

Mark Jackson was quick to point out the selection of Yao Ming over Dwight Howard. Alston too promptly replied, “Yes, yes, yeah, the reason why is Yao, you couldn’t foul him.” At 7 feet 6 inches, guarding the Chinese star was an improbable task compared to guarding the 6 feet 10 inches Howard.

Although not part of the league since the 2022 season, the former champion hasn’t shied away from taking shots at the current Centers, especially when his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, lost in the first round to the Denver Nuggets. The Joker averaged 28.2 points, 16.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists in 5 games, and Dwight Howard created a few “Superman” memes, suggesting he would have been successful in stopping the Joker.

Dwight Howard called Yao Ming the toughest player

Trolling the current generations of center might be one thing but Dwight Howard always had the highest regard for Yao Ming. Crossing paths only 9 times, the Houston Rockets legend dominated with a 7-2 head-to-head record. Additionally, Yao Ming averaged 23.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks with 56.1 FG% in the nine matchups they faced each other, while the 3x DPOY averaged 12.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks with FG% 45.1.

Due to the majority of the defeats, Dwight Howard said, “Hardest player to guard, um, Yao Ming. 7’5″, shooting fadeaways, turnaround jump shots. Yao Ming was the hardest cause I’m only 6’9”, 6’10”, my shoulders make me 6’11”. But, Yao was 7’4”, 7’5”, 315 pounds, get into the middle, hook shot, you can’t block it. Face-up jumpshot, pick-and-pop to the elbow, he’s making that.”

However, Dwight Howard was marginally better with 1.3 steals per game in comparison to 0.7 steals for Ming. Also, it is safe to assume that if Howard found Ming difficult, then Rafer Alston’s starting 5 doesn’t feel wrong. Do you agree with Alston’s list or do you think he missed out on any of his other teammates?

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.