I don't think any of you get it. It isn't about the fine or the "cheapness." It's about image. The fine is only <50k, Yao's wallet CAN take that hit; his image CANNOT. Right now he's portraying the image of the humble, hard working, mature, well mannered and respectable young man; the ONLY humble, hard working, mature, well mannered and respectable young man in the league. Once you lose that image it's gone forever (hell, most never get it in the first place). Both Yao and China have a vested interest in him holding onto that image for it really educated people about the Chinese beyond the usual stereotypes. Team Yao, the Rockets organization, NBA, Reebok, Pepsi, etc, have a vested interest in the same, except for a more financial reason. As long as Yao holds onto that image, he'll keep getting praised, voted to the ASG, etc; people will keep reading about him online or watch his commercials. Should Yao get a tech, the loss for ALL those organizations will be FAR MORE THAN the 50k. It will be MILLIONS. This is the reason Yao will NEVER EVER get a Tech, because NOBODY wants him to.
Thats about as ridiculous as saying he won't get a tech because he is cheap. He isn't "portraying" anything, that's Yao Ming. Sure there's an upside to being clean and respectful, but he doesn't do it for solely the sake of upholding a reputation. I mean, is this the same reason why Grant Hill had that reputation? Can it actually mean that Grant Hill is actually respectful?? Anyways, I saw Yao argue a call yesterday. Stuart
I suggest you go home, slap your face in front of a mirror and hopefully be shamed of what you have said.
It isn't about what Yao wants. It's about what EVERYBODY ELSE wants. Yao may be clean and respectful - upon this point, you really have no clue; because you are NOT Yao so you DON'T know what he's actually thinking - however, in the eyes of the business minded, the image is what they want to keep. If the image just happens to be the real Yao, then guess what, in the end it makes no difference to them one way or another. What I am saying is NOT that Yao is doing it for the sake of reputation, because quite frankly I (neither do you) don't know one way or another. What I AM saying is that everybody not named Yao has a vested interest for him at least appearing that way. Yao (if as benign as you suggested) won't get a technical while everybody else doesn't want him to get a technical.
ok, we determined that neither one of us are Yao Ming, so doesn't that essentially throw your initial argument out the window? Why exactly are we discussing this anyways then? You say that those affiliated with him want him to keep a good image for financial sake, but isn't that true for the 99% of the NBA? And how much does that actually influence them? I wouldn't say that much, if at all. Although I am obviously not Yao Ming, I stand by my stance that Yao Ming is perceived a good person because he is a good person and not because he has McDonalds, Team Yao and Gatorade breathing down his neck. Stuart
How many NBA player or sport star will only sue Coca Cola for $1 for their wrong doing? None other than Yao. Money is the last and the least concern fo him other than the principle.
In your opinion, Yao is a great person. I've also heard that according to somebody Chinese fans' opinion, Yao is arrogant. In this case, as with most people, the truth falls somewhere in the middle. He may be 85% good 15% not so good, or may be even 90 10. The point is there is nobody that's 100% good. In Yao's case, if he's a good person, he'll be thinking I've gotta keep up China's respectable image, because quite frankly we here in the US stereotypes everything and Yao IS China. In that sense he won't allow himself to get a technical. In a more financial sense, Pepsi, Apple, McDonald's, Reebok, the NBA and the Rockets will be subtley suggesting that he doesn't get a technical. Think that won't have an effect on an individual because they have their own values? You'd be surprised now easily people get influenced. This is what psychologists call classical conditioning. Bug somebody long enough, they'll at least think twice when making a decision, especially a decision that doesn't necessarily contradict with Yao's values, if he's really that "good." All my initial post said is that for image and financial reasons, regardless of his own personality, Yao won't get a technical.
Mmm... I still don't buy it and another post will just rehash what's already been said. I'll leave it at "Yao Ming is Yao Ming" and if he feels the need to argue enough to merit a technical, he will. Didn't he receive two technicals last year? Stuart
How does this prove anything? Anyone can sue Coca Cola, but it doesn't mean you'll win anything. You could end up losing, then have to pay all the bills for the lawyers, and look pretty bad! By sueing for $1 dollar, Yao won the public war first, and Coca Cola had no choice but to settle this out of court for their public image. It's a smart move by the YAO TEAM, but to charaterise it as "don't care about money" is just trying too hard! I'm big fan of Yao, even been called YOF by some people here. But I absolutely hate it when people (fans) try to exam & magnify anything Yao does on and off the court, then put a BIG spin on it. People light up, Yao is a talent basketball player, nothing more nothing less. --daoshi
So, I've "never played sports at any level" since I've never thought about been fined before. Can you kind enough to enlight us what kind of thoughts went through your mind WHEN you played at "XXX" level of sports, and how many fines have you encountered through you playing career? I think many of us are interested in hearing those kind of experience. THanks in advance! --daoshi
great point! Guys, Yao is only in his second year. He'll learn the tricks about dealing with the refs. And as he gets better, he'll receive more calls. Right now he's just letting his game speak for him.
