If you could, would you keep Yao out of the Beijing Olympics

I would let him play, but after this, no more.

 

Absolutely. As a fan of the NBA and someone who buys tickets I am in an indirect manner paying part of Yao's salary. While I think I understand the importance of Yao's participation in the Olympics I do not, as someone with a financial stake in the matter, have to agree with it. It is not what is best for me as a fan.

 

Ultimately, I don't see why anyone would make the choice to keep him out of the Olympics...at least not this time around. China is hosting and he's the #1 ambassador to the entire world this summer. I can't imagine taking that opportunity away from anybody, whether it's Yao or not.

 

Why don't you just rename the poll to "Are you Chinese?"

 

Exactly… I’m getting flamed because I basically said that in the Big Z thread.

 

i voted yes i would want him to play and I am not chinese.

Olympics yeah have him play,

other things before olympics that do not mean as much to the country no way at all

 

No way, let the man play, he wants to, it is his choice, when we SIGNED him we agreed with the Chinese officials that we would not stand in the way.

HONOR THE AGREEMENT.....let him play.

DD

 

If it were up to me, I wouldn't let him. We invest time and money into him. He constantly gets hurt and I fear he is being brought back too soon just for the Olympics. I understand it but I don't like it.

 

Every little kid who played in organized sports be it basketball, baseball, track and field, gymnastics, swimming, diving etc. dreamt of someday being able to compete in the Olympics. It is a rare person who actually gets the chance to do so. For us to take that dream way for the sake of money and entertainment is selfish indeed.

 

Same here. I'm nowhere near Chinese. But I know how much Yao wants to play for his country. After this year though, no more.

 

I voted no I would let him play. I am sorry but basketball is his job, yes. Representing your country in the Olympics is a completely different animal.

Would I rather he didn't have the extra wear and tear on his body for his work? Of course, but that doesn't mean I would keep him from doing what he wished to do.

 

This is fun.

China vs. Houston. It should be a close poll.

 

Voting to keep him out of the Olympics would be us just being selfish. Yao's presence and him competing is too important to China.

 

The fact that at least three people in this thread alone from Houston (or the USA) voted for him to play for China makes this statement erroneous.

I hate how everyone tries to make it about China vs. US. It's as irritating as racism.

 

I'm not Chinese either, and I voted "yes".

 

Had this been any other Olympics, I would have said No. But this is China hosting. You don't turn down once in a lifetime opportunities.

 

I think you are really over embellishing the role of the Olymics, from a geopolitical perspective. Does it mean a lot to people in China that Yao participates? Probably. However, to imply that his presence means anything more than that appeasement is a bit silly.

I would absolutely keep him out, if I had the ability. He is a financial investment which needs to be protected, ESPECIALLY taking into consideration the fact that it is this same involvement which is causally involved in his breaking down every god damn year. It is the Rockets who are contractually obligated to pay him $15million a year, not China. The Rockets should have the right to protect that investment, especially given the extensive injury history.

And yes, I fully empathize and support the Cavs' decision to hold Ilgauskus out of the Olympics.

PS: I'm not Chinese, if my post led anyone to mistakenly draw that conclusion. har har

 

China is critisized rightly for having too much control of Yao. This thread asks if we could control Yao's life, if we would. Rename the thread: Are you China? Yes/No.