the canadian comment had to do with your smartass comment regarding americans in your first post. Shaq did not become a shell of his former self due to injuries. Additional hacking also had little effect on Shaq's overall career. Walton is HOF based off his college career alone. He was a shell in the NBA and coattailed championships. It's Morey and not Money. Functionally from a rockets standpoint, you must treat it as though his career is over. Pretty much anything you get from here on out is gravy. and I did mis-read your post, otherwise I wouldn't have responded to it.
Yao's had a history of foot issues his whole career ever since he was a teenager. In his book, it stated that he had broken his foot twice before he even came to the NBA and he even claimed the second one decreased his vertical by 4-6 inches.
Yao injuries are definitely mostly a result of the NBA. Everything contributes to it, but you can't blame the Chinese National team. I doubt 20 games in the summer really have that much impact. Yao can't even make it 20 games into the playoffs.
Umm its not just one or the other. Combined its a lot of games with no rest. Also the minutes were steadily going up after his first 3 years, not much rest during games.
I'm going to bet my Morey in Vegas? What? How exactly did Walton coattail his championship in Portland? Not sure why you should take offense to my pointing out the racial overtone threads to an article, and bring flag waving into play, but whatever. I don't purport to be a mind reader and will not make the claim that Yao's career is over. But I can surely predict this: Our conversation is over.
I blame the CNT duties more because he should not be playing against such inferior competition in the first place unless it's the Olympics. Another thing is he does too much when he plays, especially banging in the post. Combine that with stamina problems, I'm surprised how long he actually lasted. Hopefully he works on his jumpers now.
I blame it on Rick!!!!!!! 14-16 minutes straight (starting 1st quarter and 3rd quarter) without a break is insane for Regular season, combined with no real backup (how many regular season games did Deke play) Okay with that said........ Its really a combination of things, CNT, NBA schedule, Rotation minutes, lack of a young backup center, Yao's body, Yao's stupidity, and Luck. I just know going foward Yao can't keep the same pace. Something needs to change on CNT, NBA schedule, Rotation minutes, lack of a young backup center, Yao's body, Yao's stupidity, and Luck. He is already getting a major surgery to fix his feet, but that alone won't help if he continues to do the other things. -He needs to decide CNT or NBA, it can't be both. (okay for Olympics) -Rick and Rockets need to decide on Rotation minutes vs playing less games (82games @ 33-34 minutes a game will wear him down). If he can't play a full season, his contract should reflect it. -Rockets also need a lot of Luck.
If you don't want to play 82 games + playoffs, then don't sign a ~$15 million annual contract to play in the national basketball association. /argument.
"If you don't want to play 82 games + playoffs, then don't sign a ~$15 million annual contract to play in the national basketball association." I second that. China doesn't complain when they make tons of dough from Yao playing in the NBA.
This blame from China is absurd. They don't pay Yao a penny for his time in national team. However, I do think 82 games is too much on Yao's body. Shaq has been taking 20+ reg. season games off each of the last several years and I think he does it on purpose. Yao should do the same if he wants to extend his career.
You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to SamFisher again. Yao's problems are from having feet too small (relative to his height) to support that weight and height. They force the impact of a lot of weight on a smaller area. That problem isn't going to go away.
Technically, they're right. Of course playing 82 NBA games on top of 20 CNT games will give more chances for injury. But realistically, Yao and everyone else would have been better served if he didn't play all those pointless CNT games (except for the Olympics). Yao winning an NBA championship gets far more exposure for the country and will attract more scouts than winning minor league Asian championships. That said, even if he didn't play those CNT games, a 7'6, 300 lb frame running around all season is injury prone no matter what. And I actually support a shorter season, but for different reasons altogether (games matter more making it more attractive to fans). But that's for another thread.
It's my fault. It's my fault he's taller than the human body is meant to be. It's my fault they soak his foot in herbs instead of sending him to a real doctor in China It's my fault he doesn't get enough calcium. It's my fault the NBA season is 82 games long and has been since before Yao was born.
Yao gets injured because the NBA lets defenders mug him every single game. Opposing defenders can scratch, trip, push, wrestle, poke in the eye, etc Yao and not be called for a foul. The NBA and all the major sports leagues usually protects their stars. You breathe on Jordan it's a foul. You touch a star quarterback a sec after he throws the ball, roughing, even if you breath on a up and coming star like a Brandon Roy we saw what happened in the 1st round with all the calls he got. Only Yao gets no protection from the NBA because of his size. International bb is more fairly called. They don't care if your name is Kobe or Joe Smoe. Yao gets protected a lot more in international play. Just my opinion.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2009-04-29-82-games-cover_N.htm It's not just the Chinese media who brings up the issue of a lengthy schedule. Tho this article doesn't get into a pointing fingers game regarding Yao's injury it does provide a balanced report regarding the length of schedule on a whole. Morey is in the article.
yep he never gets hurt playing international basketball. People don't realize international ball is more about skill and less about physical thugery especially for bigmen. The NBA forbids handchecking for guards but allows WWF wresting for centers. That's why there are so many skilled bigs around the world that can't play in the nBA. Most of Yao's injuries are due to the enormous stress of wresting with 2 or 3 defenders every game even when he doesn't have the basketball.
How was Yao giving half of what he made in his rookie contract a rumor? Thats true, underwise the Rockets in 2002 would of been in the Ricky Rudio situiation if he hadn't. My question is does he still have to do that still or was that just for his rookie contract.
