After 5+ years, The Yao / Rox experiment has not achieved the high level of success as hoped. he has a window of 5-6 more productive years in the NBA. Should Yao demand a trade ? Yao does not have the athletic body of the rarely-injured KG who, in his 11 season, is still among the best in his position. Boston made a good basketball decision trading for him. Thus far, Yao has missed about 15-20% of the season due to injury. I can't fathom him, in his 11th season, being a cream-of-the crop player. and I am not sure if Yao wants to play NBA ball at age 33+ I say Yao should demand a trade now; He would be a good fit for either Sacto Kings, DC Wizzard or Brooklyn Nets. These teams also have the salaries / picks to offer to the Rox. Their rosters are such that the addition of Yao would help them contend for the ring for the several years to come.
I am not sure Yao is "cream of the crop" right now, far too gimmicky. He is like the Boss at the end of the level who kicks your ass until you figure out the trick to beating him and then it becomes easy. Definitely not on KG or Kobe's level. TMAC was supposed to be that "cream of the crop" guy who supported Yao and let Yao play the supporting role but for what ever reason, heart , passion, injuries he has not been over the long run. I love Yao but cannot get far enough past his deficiencies to believe that he will ever be more than what he is now. I also question whether Tracy sees this and has trouble putting forth the maximum effort to really win in this league, of course that is still inexcusable and just my opinion.
Yao shouldn't waste his energy demanding a trade. Yao should put his energy into intimidating teams offensively and defensively to a point where he can dominate consistently. Until he does that, hes going to have trouble no matter where he goes since he has superstar expectations.
You picked three terrible teams for him to be traded too. He would have no chance at winning a ring with the Kings, Nets, or Wizards. Why would you not think his chances are better demanding a trade to the Lakers, Cavs, or Bulls. More importantly, he has not earned the right to demand a trade, and would never do so due to his loyalty. The Rox have been competitive during his time on the team, and have made moves to win. They are willing to spend money, make FA signings, and trades, it just hasnt translated to playoff success yet.
I've said it before and maybe it is cultural but I just don't ever see Yao as being a guy that can be dominant and also have a team that is also dominant. I just don't think he will ever be a guy who will inspire teammates to go to war for/with him. I believe teammates see him as a bit of a, for lack of a better word freakshow more so than a basketball player. Please don't take that the wrong way, I just mean they see him as more of a huge guy who can shoot rather than an actual basketball player. And once again I love Yao and he deserves to win but I'm just not sure. I watched last years playoff series with a guy who did not have Rocket blinders and he really pointed out Yao's deficiencies and watching the game with him and looking at it from his perspective (objectively?) it was hard to argue that Yao will ever be truly dominant, he is just not athlete, just a tall guy who can shoot. I'm sorry Yao, atleast you have your millions of dollars to spend.
This is a Houston Rockets fan board not a Yao fan board. You should start posting on espn's boards rather then a board for Rockets fans.
That playoff series was also a terrible match up for Yao. I agree he looked out of sync against Utah but that is because they have a center who can hit three pointers. That left him guarding Boozer who is just too quick for him. Take that same fan and watch the five or six game stretch at the beginning of last year where Yao scored 30 or more for four or five straight games and won player of the week. Or even watch the Yao pre-injury last year and you will see a dominant player. He was constantly double teamed and still put up huge numbers. Then see how objective he is about Yao's deficiencies.
Please! Yao is more talented than Timmy D and if TD can win a few rings with the right mix of people so does Yao. I'm sick of seeing this team going down hill and nobody is doing anything about it.
Yao getting traded would be a dream come true, because then we'd actually go deep in the playoffs. Someone said that Yao was a 21 and 10 guy and teams still have to game plan for him. Big deal. Zach Randolph is a 20 and 10 guy and teams game plan for him, yet he's a perennial loser just like Yao. Tons of players can put up numbers but not make their teams better, and unfortunately Yao sits on the top of this list. I stand by my claim that Yao stunts the rest of our players' abilities, and his slow-footed skillset is why the team never has a rhythm.
