Does being in the NBA and sitting on the bench open up better sponsorship deals than if he were not? As much as Yao has made I don't think he can handle the expense of running a loss making sports team for 3-4 more years. Especially if he's directing his money elsewhere eg, charities, tax maneuvering, etc.
I don't know if Yao will ever be able to come back and play but I will never again question his heart.
I don't know why but this comment just made my day so sad.... "coming back", "giving it a shot", "life and body" and.............. "Thabeet's development".
The best case scenario is if Yao is willing to pull a "Charles Barkley" and agree to play for the league minimum ($1,272,279) for one year. If he can't make it all the way back, oh well. It would only have cost Les a "mere" $884,293 (the portion of the minimum salary not paid by the league). But if Yao can return to even 70% of his former self, (at least under the current rules), . . . Yao's cap hold in 2012 would only be $884,293! This could potentially allow the Rockets to sign a star (or two?) in free agency, with the draw of being able to play next to a rejuvenated Yao and a great supporting cast, and THEN re-sign Yao using his Bird rights. Let's just hope that Yao is as generous to the organization as Barkley once was.
Y'know, it was never Yao's height, or his wisdom, or even him being one of the best centers in the league that made him my favorite player. It was his heart. The heart of a warrior eager for redemption. He may no longer be the leader of the team, the all-star captain, but he can still be our grizzled veteran ready for a few more battles. Go and get 'em, Yao.
I don't see the harm in resigning Yao to a reasonable contract where he is expected to be the backup center. I'll have a problem if Morey resigns him with the hope of him regaining his form and becoming the starting center, but Morey isn't that dumb.
I don't mean to be offensive, but some people need to find a brain while they still can. Resigning him at about a million dollars or so should be a no brainer. Unless he wants some serious money, then he needs to get it somewhere else but not here.
But a China-faced man said he called it quits! Yao is the kind of guy who would make up for services not rendered. He knows how much he made to sit out while his adoring fans suffer. He knows what an opportunity he has to play dead.
I highly doubt the Rockets organization or the players are hanging all their hopes on one day playing with a healthy Yao again. They've been already two years removed. Therefore, I see little harm in resigning Yao if he's able to make it back to a reasonably low contract.
I really want Yao to play again, and I really want him to play in a Houston Rockets uniform until he decides to call it a career. I don't care if he's a back-up center or a ballboy. I like Yao.
Blah Blah Blah... The only thing that Yao revealed was that there will be a lockout at the end of this season. Then Yao said oops I'm not suppose to tell that yet.... I hope the NBA is not hearing me say that.. Too late Yao we all heard you say it. http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2011/03/10/ZOOM0001MOV-1586697/index.html zzpot
i agree, if we resigned for vet minimum he would be a great off the bench guy so he doesn't overpower his ankle. would love to see him back
