Just to remind u, someone from China has already brought the Ring back, though it actually has nothing to do with his contribution.lol
WOW - I didn't mean to start a racist war between China and USA Rocket fans! All I asking is that AFTER these Olympic games, wouldn't it be nice if Yao concentrated on his career with the team that pays him, and the team we all love. I know it's his decision, and he should do what is in his heart. I just saying from my point of view as an American and a Rockets fan - I wish he would retire from the CNT
Yao playing for the CNT has never been the problem. The problem has been Rockets' management not factoring in the toll it takes on the big guy when they populate the roster.
If it isn't the Olympics or World Championships, then he shouldn't be playing for China or practicing much with them during the offseason. That means he does get every other year off in the offseason. But, the Rockets can also limit his work load during the season and have weekly check ups on his health. Although Yao himself may not agree to this, somebody has to tell him that this is the only way he can play with minimal injuries. He is the best center in the NBA right now, so he won't have to do as much in the offseason. This is as good as he is gonna get, which is fine. The team needs to watch his minutes during the season, and find a reliable backup center who can play fifteen minutes per game without the Rockets losing a lead. His time in practice needs to watched closely as well. I'm not sure how much this will help, but maybe Yao should try to lose 15 lbs. I know that means it would be easier for teams to guard him, but through his first 3 seasons, he missed 1 game, and that was on a horrible toe. He was a about 290-300 lbs then. Since then, he's gotten up to 310-320 lbs. and he's missed close to 100 games in the last 3 seasons. I know couple of those were freak accidents, but the last injury clearly was not. If Yao loses some weight, there will be less stress on his feet and legs and it might help him play away from the basket the way Adelman would like to, to reduce the wear and tear of the post. He is capable of that as well. Watch his pre-NBA games and workouts, he was a decent perimeter player when he was really skinny. I think that could help save Yao's energy as well, and with a balanced offensive attack, that will work.
As a Rockets fan, and a not-China-supporter, I definitely agree with the OP... ... But I know it won't happen, unfortunately. Oh well, hopefully he can get a few healthy seasons in regardless... he did it his first few years, I guess.
Are you trying to say that whoever disagrees with the OP is a China-supporter? It's fools like you who try to bring up politics in every thread and turn it to a D&D one. I really don't understand you people.
Hopefully China gets its ass kicked pretty badly early on and don't make it in the latter stages of the games. This way Yao's minutes are pretty limited.
As much as I dislike Yao playing in the summer and possibly not being 100%. As much as I dislike the Chinese government and policies. He needs to play for his country, if he feels it's personal responsiblity....it would be different if they were forcing him to play, but if he really didn't want to play ... he wouldn't have to.
Are you saying Scola should also retire? and also Nowitzki, Ginobili, Nocioni, Parker, Nash etc etc etc...
Do Lebron James and Kobe play year round for the US national team and their NBA teams? No - are they breaking down every year because they bodies don't rest?
Do these guys play year round for their national teams and their NBA teams? No - are they breaking down every year because they bodies don't rest?
If Yao cannot keep healthy next season, the rockets fans' patience with him will reach the limitation. Yao himself and his agents need to think about this carefully.
Well he has a STRESS fracture and that only comes from stress, which means he needs to rest at least sometime
Adelman just gotta understand that he can't use Yao for 40 minutes. Yao is maybe too big, maybe his body is too weak but I'd give him 30 mpg and no more.
That's not a good idea. Basketball players are not recommended to swim or any other training in the water because it reduces their explosiveness. The better way is to keep the weight down, and keep the playing time down to ~32min/game.