not all teams have a player that's untouchable...and it's important to understand the difference between a player who truly is untouchable and a player who a team isn't interested in trading. A truly untouchable player won't be included much in trade offers by other teams and their team isn't likely to listen to any that do include him.
I hear where you're coming from, but what are the chances he makes it to the end of the year and through the playoffs? And you're right. True centers, much less dominant ones have gone the way of the DoDo. A team must be able to play the halfcourt game to win it all and the 5 is a key variable in that equation. What we hypothetically get back wouldn't include a Yao, but nonetheless would include size and talent. Enough to compete with LA over the next several years. I had the priviledge of watching Dream from the get go at UH..... Then of course with the Rockets. So many great moments and flat out good times...We're close to the same age. From that cab ride..Fonde..to our 3 Final Four trips...on to the title shots in the eighties...and finally our 2 NBA Championships. I wouldn't call it patience with him because I never wanted to deal Dream. I grew up with the guy. And while Yao is no Dream,we would have won a title last year IF he could stay healthy. Yao is great in so many ways, yet cannot hold a candle to Dream. That said, I understand and appreciate what and who he is...to our franchise,our city, and to a nation. I understand what it's like to be amazed and in awe of a player. For me Dream is that guy and I know for many younger fans Yao is that guy.I can't imagne a better ambassador/role model. The thing is while Dream had his circulatory issues, he never had the chronic foot problems that have spelled endgame for so many big men. Dream was durable and he was the best. I digress .......nickb492, root for Yao and enjoy him, but the Rockets are about titles and we can't win one with him sitting on the bench. At some point you have to weigh the likelyhood of anther injury against the perfomance of players received via a deal. And I would submit that we need to insure our window by dealing Yao before next year's trade deadline.
OMT.......In addition to the halfcourt game/dictating pace...defense is obviously huge in winning it all....athletic/talented frontline players that can D up would be coming back in any move regarding Yao.....
The problem is who else is available and can replace Yao and compete well with the other big men in the league.
Nobody is untouchable. LeBron is the closest thing, but even he could be dealt if a 3-way trade landed the Cavs with Wade and Kobe.
If the right deal came around, anyone is tradable. I know for a fact that CP3 is tradable for said reason.
