they must be dreaming. Rox can offer more money than everyone else (unless Les is unwilling which is almost impossible), and he is getting big endorcements. If he EVER wants to leave, it will be for basketball reasons, and even so I don't see how he would choose to go to Warriors. Let them show how they are going to get Kobe first. I really doubt they will.
Well gas is much more expensive in the SF Bay Area so maybe now that Yao is driving for himself that will convince him to stay.
This does separate the true Houston fans vs us "Yao only" fans. I sure hope Yao comes to GSW. I will be the first in line for a season ticket. You guys in Houston don't appreciate how lucky you are.
people who bring back what happened between Shaq and the Lakers might fail to realize the implications of the '99 CBA. Yao signed a 3 years rookie contract with the Rockets + 1 year team option, after that he's a restricted FA. To join the Warriors, Yao should: - reject the max extention that will be offered him by Houston in 2005 -do not sign any max contract in 2006 (not even for the Warriors, otherwhise the Rockets would surely match) but only the one year qualificating offer. -finally, in 2007 he's a FA. So, to join any other team, he'll have to wait two years to sign a "lesser" max contract (6 years intead of 7, 10% raises instead of 12.5%), exposing himself to injuries and losing at least 20M$ in the process. I hope that the Warriors' great plan is considering all this.
I've heard this touted before, and Houston has a huge Chinatown so it's not like there's some vast difference going on. Besides, it's not like Yao can just go hang out in public ever. He's impossible not to recognize and is getting more famous by the day; he simply can't go out and enjoy public life, ESPECIALLY amongst Asian populations. That's the price of his celebrity.
you do not know what you are talking about.... Yao is already an absolute fan favorite in this city. This team is known for its big men - so people have never been more pleased with Yao joining Malone and Dream. nice handle
Great post. We will know the year BEFORE Yao is a real free agent whether or not his intentions are to stay here, or to look elsewhere. If he doesn't let us sign him to a long-term max deal before he's ever a FA, like Steve did, and he basically says that, "I will test the market," then we may be in trouble (but, of course, we could always trade him to help the rebuilding process). But, if he loves the team, and everything's goin good... and he signs the extension that year, then what the hell does GSW do? They would have already been in year 3 of this grand-master multi-layerd plan, and they would have screwed the fans over, by making them sacrifice thru a horrible team, while holding their hopes out for a guy who they really never had a shot at in the first place. The days of a great player leaving their team after a rookie contract are almost all but dead... in fact, I can't think of a marquee guy since Shaq (and subsequently the new CBA was signed) that left his team after just the beginning of their career. Duncan stayed, Garnett, stayed, Francis stayed. (T-mac left, but he wasn't considered a "star", and Toronoto basically chose Carter over him). Sure middle-of-the-road guys like Brand and A. Miller switched teams, but they were never near Yao's capacity. The way to build your team in today's NBA is first thru the draft, and then trying to sign the more experienced FA's who complete their second contracts... like Kobe and Chris Webber.
I couldn't see a reason why Rockets would trade Yao away. 1. He's got championhsips potentials. 2. He's got fans around the world.
I be willing to bet, if Yao were with GSW rigth now, the seats won't be nearly as empty as TC. Look at some of the pictures posted in the last few days. I personally know quite a few guys who will get season tickets if Yao signed up with GSW. That's what I am talking about.
I beliebe the current CBA doesn't run much longer than 1 or 2 more seasons, so who knows, all this may change. It's not likely, but possible.
Ryoga, thanks for reminding us of all that. What difference would it make? The Warriors will be screwing the fans over with bad personnel decisions anyway.
So the Rockets can offer Yao more money than anyone else and we have no state or city income tax. I'd say we're looking pretty good, but, money is not everything to a young man of modest wants......... We need to get his girlfriend drafted by the Comets.
No question about it that GSW wants Ming and Kobe. But the question is why would Ming want to go there? First, I don't see money is an issue at all. Rockets will match his expectation anyways, and I don't see any other team can pay him much more. Besides, with his endorcements, if he keeps improvement and actually becomes a dominant player in the coming years, while keeping his image, he will receive far more international endorcement. So one million or two in the salary could be the least concern for him. Second, there are enough asian people in Houston, why would Ming want more? I've been to Houston a couple of times, I was surprised how many asian people are there, of course not to compare with NY, SF, or Toronto. But I don't see any uphand for more asian people. He's popular anywhere. Besides we are not comparing 100 to 600, but maybe 80,000 to 400,000 asian people. So what matters the most? Success. If Ming feels he can success here, he will be a Rockets forever, if he thinks he need to move to be successful, then he's not a dominant player yet. His value wouldn't be that high then. On top of that, why GS? what makes any of you think that will be a successful team? In the beginning, when he never lived abroad before, he might heard lots of ill-advised information about how important to have a high population in town for him. But with his willingness and capability to get over the language barrier and culture difference. I don't believe he wants to move to another team for greater asian population solely. And then again, Houston already has a big asian population. Therefore, IMHO, Ming is a Rockets forever, unless something drastic happens, but no one can predict that, right?
Top comment, and we know Yao will be a GSW soon. Not only GSW mgmt, chinese government is working hard on this move too. They failed to foresee Yao's marketing potential and thought they already robbed enough from him and rockets. Now by realizing how wrong they were, this time they will make sure to put Yao on the spot to get the MAX revenue possible, it has to be San Francisco. Try to recall the first big commercial Yao made... Apple. Not to look down the city of houston, it is certainly one of the major cities in the states. But talking about *rich* Chinese culture, Hot asian chicks, BIG sponsorship, High Tech and Sunny weather, how dare you even compare it to Bay Area and San Francisco? Yao himself admitted he got the warmest welcome in Oakland, no one doubts about it. Houston, rather than rebuilding the team around someone else in 2 years, why not to be prepared and trade Yao now?
As a Chinese, I have some problem with certian young Chinese's values. They are too caught up by those fake fames. Look at those threads about the car Ming is driving etc. Not to judge you, but I guess you are one of them. Ming is a smart young man, and he has his mind set by himself or his family, not by those outside overwelming "journalism". Those fame are exciting to audiences, but always to the person who receives that. He had enough money, and he will get more anywhere. I dare to say that 2,3 or even 10 millions more or less don't matter to him. The kid has pride, and that's why he wants success. GS has nothing related to success. Period. And by the way, what does that phantom Chinese government's intention to move him has anything to do with that? Some imagination from Sina.com again?
It really doesn't matter. I don't think Yao is going to make his decision based upon how many people will buy season tickets. There are other considerations -- more important considerations. If the Rockets remain competitive, and are contending for championships when Yao's contract is up, I don't see him leaving. General Managers around the league would be foolish to bet on Yao being like Shaq. Yao doesn't have an "It's all about me" attitude. I don't think the NBA has seen the kind of loyalty of someone like Yao in a long time. Quite frankly, I don't think they understand it.
