I don't think they'll be giving up Shaq. There's no better point in having 2 good centers. You can't use them both at the same time. Shaq is still the powerful center in the league. It's the team chemistry that's killing the lakers now.
You guys all forget that in Yao's case, he is gonna make much more $$ from the commercials down the road if he becomes the mega star as most people (or at least Rockets fans expect). The salary is nice, but that's just a piece of cake compared to th money he makes out of those deals he makes with Fortune 500 companies. Yao did mention time and time again that money is not the most important thing, to treat him honest is. Look at the Nike and Reebok deal, Yao was about the sign with Nike. However, the Yao team found some tricky items in the contract and turned the offer down. When Nike knew that Yao was about the lock in a deal with Reebok and came back to him again with offer worth of 250% what Reebok pays him, Yao sticks with Reebok. There are two things that the Rockets absolutely need to do to keep Yao in Houston after his rookie contract is over: 1. Be totally honest with him all the time (and nice); 2. Gradually build a team that's complementary to his skills.
The answer to keeping Yao Ming has been presented for nearly two years now. The Rockets must have compatible players on the team, such as a traditional Point Guard that is a Playmaker first and foremost. Players that are hungary for wins rather than personal glory, players that want the big prize more than the big paycheck. CD and JVG realise this and will make the required adjustments after this season.
Q: Do you see Yao Ming as replacing you as the most dominant center in the game? Shaq: Most dominant? No. Probably one of the greatest? Yeah. Most dominant is a term that, to me, it’s all about banging, it’s all about how you play and all about getting them to change the rules. I’ve been here 10 years and I’ve made them change the rules two times. Yao’s a great player, he’s a great sport. Being dominant is being mean, throwing elbows, talking trash, cursing and all that attitude (laughs). Will he be one of the greatest in terms of playing the game? Definitely.
It's getting scary to read this board. Steve is gonna be traded to Philly. Yao will bolt to LA. What's going on???
i'm not worrying about what Yao thinks, but i do believe team Yao will do something for bucks, for Yao and themselves. if Yao feels happy in Houston and promising to get rings, he personally won't leave. he's not money driven. Unlike Karl and glove, Yao won't go somewhere for a ring - he wants the ring, by himself instead of with the help of someone else.
I'm sorry but Yao can not win a ring all by himself. Do you remember what was the first word come out of his mouth when he was asked why he played so well against Shaq on their last meeting?
agreed no man can win a championship all by themselves. Jordan , Shaq, Hakeem all needed help from the role players
Tell you a secret. Yao is a friend of mine. He is a traditional Chinese. A traditional Chinese won't move if the city treats him good. He believes there're something more important than $$$. He likes this city. He loves people here. He won't feel sorry to the fans beloved. So he will never leave unless the city push him out. I am sure about that. I am not Kelvin Cato. Guess who I am.
