I guess considering the last couple weeks, our emotional roller coaster ride cannot get anymore hectic as I suspect we all have a fairly good idea of what Yaos announcement will be next week (probably whole 09-10 season, maybe back for latter part) I have to think though, with letting Ron go, and getting Ariza, we are indicating that Yao will not be back at all this year. Ron and the boys could have kept us in the playoff hunt until Yao got back. Maybe using Mcgrady or using his contract to acquire helpful assets and we still could have been a force late next year. But it looks like DM doesnt think we are going to be in that position next year. Now that the shock of everything has worn out, I have slowly and deliberately come to the conclusion that we are building. the second Ming Dynasty. I think the Yao announcement will be that whatever treatment he is getting is to change his foot dynamics or at least strengthen it significantly. This would give him a second stretch of his NBA career where he sits out all internation play and then plays 25-30 mine a game. This puts us in a position, where we may be able to extend him at less than the max. As well, our draft pick (probably a good one) and the continued development of our youth assets will only deepen our pool of resources. I really do think that we will use this season, and FA next year to give Yao the team he needs. Obviously his injuries may turn out more severe or uncurable, but if the Rockets opt this way, they will do so for a reason. Even if we have a high pick next year, I would expect it be dealt for a veteran (probably not a Gay for Battier scenario, probably acquiring a allstar type scenario) I think this will all hinge on Scola and Battier and we can use them as a barometer of sorts with this situation. If one of those guys gets dealt, we are probably not counting on 2nd tour from Yao, but scrapping the whole thing. I really loved watching Yao though, from a fans perspective it was surreal sometimes. I just hope thats not over yet.
this is a good point and i have maybe been to quick to critisize morey over the artest and gortat losses..i could see that being the case getting ready for next year. also good point on yming food for thought
if you are familiar with the stock market and investing, there is a difference between investing and speculating investing is taking a bunch of solid information and taking that knowledge and applying it to the future. Then putting your money where your mouth is on that collection of information and knowledge you have obtained. speculating is looking at the upside of a situation, and assuming that the upside will occur. Unfortunately, I think you are speculating by thinking Yao will be able to have a second strong run in his career. I want to believe he'll be back as much as you do, but knowing daryl morey, and how smart he is, he will not plan on or "speculate" on yaos return. Right now Daryl Morey is assuming this team will never have mcgrady or yao. This year he is seeing of a quick fix will help us make a run next year, if not, time for some rebuilding. The good news is we are young.
I agree. Morey must now play chess while the Lakers, SA, Clev, etc. can play checkers. He did not draft Yao but must deal with all the tough decisions on moving into the future and being competitive knowing Yao will probably never return. Its a sticky situation especially because Yao was a "speculative" pick by the previous administration. Big Men dont last that long.
It's gonna be the Qing dynasty for yao, then he's gonna do some opium and get dunked on over and over again. It won't be for a while when he's gonna return to dominance .
I've been thinking about this and am hoping it could be a blessing in disguise. Thiswill most likely be a down year, but maybe some guys will step up and make names for themselves i.e. Scola, Brooks. Then if Yao can make a recovery he probably would re-sign with us for a reasonable price, especially given that he wants to win. If we can snag a marquee player with the cap space and get a decent contribution for Yao, maybe we'll be stronger in two years. Plus you never know what Tracy will bring in any form. I'm no optimist usually, but this seems like the best case scenario through all this. Fingers crossed.
Ariza is essentially a SF. IMHO, it's almost a lock Battier will be traded. There's your answer to Yao returning.
So I guess Yao never had the team he needed? Ok, if you're going to build a house on a cracked foundation, be my guest. Yao will probably come back in time for some asian qualifying and again put undue stress on his injury prone body. If the rox don't plan on moving the franchis along with out the brittle brothers, then its a mistake big time.
If Yao misses all next season, I think his dynasty is done. He might still be on the team, but will not act as our franchise player or first option. I think a new dynasty is on the rise right now. Morey Dynasty. It started a couple seasons ago, but we are only witnessing it right now. Lets see how good he is and how he can turn the team around. He has a couple of months to position us correctly.
Ah yes, just what we need. Another huge overrated guy that everyone goes ga ga over just because he's 7'6 that spends half the season on the bench, gets completely shut down by double teams, and spends every off season getting his body broken down playing in China. What a wonderful thing to look forward to.
