Yao and Rafer were good friends, had good chemistry together and it showed on the court when they played. Rafer backed him up all the time. That was one of the reasons why I was a bit confused and mad when they trade him.
I believe it's true. Yang is one of Yao's best friends and few reporters that he will tell what's real in his mind, actually we can think Yang is Yao's 'paper mouth' or 'personnal spokesman'.
Another Yang the fiction writer Yi's article about the Rafer trade: http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2009-02-23/15254234340.shtml Again there were no quotes and all based on Yang's assumptions. Basically the article was about how the rockets have no chance this season to win the championship this season after they traded rafer for Lowry(very typical chinese mindset, that is, give up before the game even started), how yao was no consulted before the trade, gave examples like Duncan, kobe and Lebron will be consulted by their teams before any trades(I don't know yao is such a big crybaby and pi$$ed off because of a small trade? I think yao should watch more game tapes on how to beat the blazers and cavs than thinkin of rafer), how Morey is thinkin of the future whereas yao is lookin at present(basically trying to lead readers to believe Yao and morey are not on the same page) and yao most likely won't sign with the Rockets come 2010.
I kinda interpreted that as him not expecting Aaron to start off too well with the increased pressure. But I guess you can say that he was implying that his expectations for the team were lowered with Alston's departure. I'm leaning towards my interpretation, though. Brooks/Lowry seems to have more pop than the Alston/Brooks combo; I thought Yao would be ecstatic about the trade.
so feigen can't be sure of everything about the rockets. but you're sure just beacause you think you know everything. yeah...right.
Yao is happier indeed because we start to win and play consistently. But this doesn't necessarily mean he won't feel upset by Morey's action. Look, Rafer is no big deal. But trading Rafer without let your #1 player know first (not necessarily consulting) is simply rude. CD won't do this to Yao.
Winning will make Yao happier, you can not ask your players if they want to trade, their answer will always be no.... But the GM's job is to do whatever is right for the organiztion regardless of what players think. Trading Alston was a GREAT move, the team had become too reliant on a sub 40% shooter...shaking up the rosters like this gets everyone to look inside themselves and find what more they can do to help the team win. And, with this roster they are better, maybe Yao won't see it right away, but it will dawn on him as he is playing in the 2nd round this year without Alston and TMac...the 2 crappy security blankets. Morey should sit down with him and explain his thinking AFTER the fact, but not before, becuase if it were up to Yao, Steve Francis would be the starting PG........which is laughable at best.....Yao is a good player, but is too loyal to ever be a good GM. DD
FWIW, here is another article talking about Yao's reaction to the trade. http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2009-02-23/16444234475.shtml I don't have time to translate the whole article, but did notice there is one interesting paragraph. When asked if he was surprised by the trade, Yao said yes, but he trusts DM since he's been doing well. Yao also understood that DM didn't ask for his opinion before the trade. "Obviously, it was a last minute decision under time pressure. Morey called me after the trade and explained why he made such a trade. Now the trade is over, there is no need to talk about it anymore. What we need to do is to win games, get into the playoffs and go further from there."
This guy has no credit at all. Most of those so called reporters working for sina or sohu are pimps. They write what the Chinese like to read or stir things up so they can sell their fake stories.
it is true that many franchise players are consulted or asked about their input (rather than approval) before a major trade happens. but when a last-minute and perfect-storm type trade happens, it is no biggie to let it happen the way it happened. all yang yi's piece is speculations to me, as i don't see any direct quotes in your post. and from others i know he's not based in houston, unlike many other chinese reporters. that tells me his latest pieces are probably not that worth to be taken seriously.
This one makes much more sense to me. Yang's article is nothing but speculation. BTW, I don't think Yao need to do the management work for Rockets unless he is requested
I am not saying management HAS to consult with Yao before the trade however it is a common act between NBA management and their alpha dogs in the team. Just like open the door for the lady, it is not required by the law however it's plain rude not to do it.
BS story.. the guy has got no material and nothing to write about and just writes whatever he thinks could be happening.
I guess when the locker room issue was first leaked out several weeks ago, you probably said the same thing?
I am a die hard Yao fan since day one but Yao has to realize that he chose to be a second stringer star player. He is no Lebron nor Dwight. Unless he get his head screwed straight and play with the aggression that we saw when he was angry. His goodie two shoes, good work ethic, good teammate, get along with everyone attitude is smack of total disrespect to Rocket fans who expect him to be the center that he can be. If he wants to be buddy with everyone, work hard and grind it out like a NBA journeyman, then he has to renege his contract and take a mid level exception or slightly higher salary. If he wants a max paycheck, he has to come in put on a show, score a bunch of points, get some drama going, block some spectacular shots, treat that midget Nate like a ragdoll and make use of his size. He has to understand that this is no national basketball tournament where to win for the country is all there is but rather a private enterprise using the game of basketball as entertainment for the masses. A private enterprise will only make money if the fans are interested. Sooner of later, the Chinese fans will get jaded and Yao will be another boring NBA player who happens to be tall. Then, his NBA appeal will be gone. Going back to topic. It will be no surprise if Morey look past Yao come 2010. For the kind of money to sign Yao, he can get 2 players with more talent. For that kind of money to pay for a player who is good-natured, hardworking, great teammate, courteous to opposing players while on court, OK getting disrespected by smaller players, laying up rather than dunking because it is polite and it is cultural (I am ethnically/culturally Chinese by the way and it is no true that it is cultural), deferring to lesser players because it builds up their moral or to seem unselfish ..........then the money is better donated to an organization that helps needy people because that is nice too plus it directly helps the people that needed it. For 20+ million a year, Yao better come in and do some damage. Play like when he is pissed. None of this "I just want to belong" crap. The first couple of years I understand but right now...NO!
Don't you think Yao know this? Have you noticed that whenever Yao consistently play aggressively for over a couple of months then injury happened? Which Yao you want: an aggressive, bad motherf$$ker Yao on the bed, or a less aggressive, gentle giant but consistent 20/10 Yao?
