"arguably one of the best centers in the NBA" is discrediting his playing ability to me. "arguably the best center in NBA" was actually the case. Again, there is no superstar available to build around at this moment. Yao is still the best option Rockets can get, risky or not. It's not like Rockets have tons of options other than rebuild completely.
Since basically the middle of last season, the Rockets have said that they are focused on adding impact players to the team. Morey has acknowledged the need for a star offensive player in interviews. It is something the Rockets are looking for. Rockets have been as involved in trade talks as any team the last few years, based on the chatter reported by ESPN, Yahoo, Fox, etc. The idea that they are content with what they have and aren't actively looking to upgrade is just wrong.
Add on the fact that the Rockets, as an organization, is hog-tied to McGrady's contract, which puts them in a situation where they can't get these so-called "exceptional players". Morey is doing the common sense and intelligent thing: acquiring players, right now, that can build a roster. He doesn't have the cap room to get "exceptional players" until he moves McGrady's contract. Asking for Morey and the Rockets to do more than they can do right now is being shortsighted. I bet Rocketmania1991 is wondering why we have Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry when there is Chris Paul and other exceptional players out there. The Rockets aren't "relying on the unreliable". They have been maximizing their productivity while their best player is injured and when their best player comes back, he has better teammates to play with. Everyone wants "exceptional players" but no one that has griped about this has ever brought to the table a concrete and solid solution as to how to get said "exceptional players"
I agree with you wholeheartedly! We seriously need to trade yao to denver for birdman or somethin. the rockets have to rebuild around chuck hayes, surround hayes with players that have heart, passion, and hustle! maybe we can trade brooks and ariza for edwardo najera... now i would trade battier instead but battier is untouchable due to his intangibles, our starting team would be: G-Najera G-Lowery F-Battier F-Birdman C-Hayes We may not win much games but us fans can be all proud of them for giving it their all, showing heart, hustling, and beaming with intangibles! it would make a very touching NBA story. Morey for GM of the Year!
we've been in win now mode since we acquired Stromile Swift. 5 years later and we've been out of the first round only once. call me pessimistic but i don't believe we're going to assemble a team strong enough to defeat the LA Lakers any time soon.
Well Yao and T-Mac only failed because of injuries, if they had a few fully healthy years together we definitely would have gone deep into the playoffs at least a couple of times. And as to what we're doing with Yao, regardless of where his abilities are next season (and I think he's still a franchise center for at least a few more years), he's a money-making machine and there's absolutely no reason to let him go. We're not relying on anything unreliable, we're depending on the most popular basketball player in the world to bring us revenue, and he's doing exactly that.
It is obvious Yao will reup for the final deal of his current contract and the Rocket's and Yao's future will be determined greatly by that. If he can stay healthy and productive, the Rockets are likely to try to grab him. The fact is, he is the best offensive center in the NBA, you just don't junk that because he has had bad luck with injuries, if he can actually come back from it.
I think we HIGHLY overvalue Yao revenue wise. I'm sure he has an impact on the teams revenues but I don't think it is at the level of what we believe it to be. I'm sure a large portion of sales have certain stipulations that we are unaware of as well. As much as he is a money making machine if he can't stay healthy he is useless to the team. The amount of money this team would make from winning a championship would annihilate the amount Yao brings the team.
I disagree that Les is a great owner. He's an average one (and one with a substantial portion of his real wealth tied up with the team). Morey, it's too early to say he's a "great" GM. He's had a great start drafting and trading for cheap but he has to win something to be great and his first real tests are ahead of him... moving Tmac to get something of equal value and dealing with Yao's return. A couple 2nd rounders and a steal via trades or 2 is a beginning not the end. There's no question that the Rockets are a great franchise. No doubt. One of the top handful in terms of value in the NBA, one of the most valuable in the great state of Texas and one of the most popular franchises in any sport worldwide. But Les? Not so much. And Morey still has work to do. Has more to do with the fact that Houston has a solid revenue generating new arena, won 2 rings in the 90s and is in one of the largest cities in the US. People keep saying Yao adds value to the Rockets. Yao might have other financial benefits to Les but his popularity in China doesn't directly add to stadium revenue, revenue from jerseys or TV revenue... basically any of the 3 direct ways a franchise generates revenue and is evaluated for overall value.
I'm a huge Yao fan but the assertion Yao will be largely uninjured for 4-5 more years is highly unlikely. We can all hope but you can't credibly make that prediction.
http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2010-01-18/08174795514.shtml It's from Sina.com and maybe Yao's getting a little bit worried about his future with the Rockets since he had his foot undertaken that restructure surgery to reconstruct the pattern. And at the very last, he did underscore that he would try his best to adjust himself for the team, there's no doubt about it.
OP, this team would be AMAZING with Yao on the court. All we are missing is a player like Yao Ming. A healthy Yao (albeit a tough thing to come by) is the key ingredient to THIS GROUP making a serious championship run. Ariza is instantly a better player with Yao, I honestly believe that. TA could get his shots off a lot better and take better percentage shots. Whatever we can get for McGrady is just the icing on the championship cake. This is the perfect team....dont lose faith just because we are in a slump atm - even the Lakers and the Celts have them during the season. Lets see what happens when Yao gets back.
I think Yao's worrying too much. He's never been in an uptempo offense before and is a bit scared, which is understandable. He just needs to understand that the Rockets can still run with him in the lineup. And there's no way Yao's leaving the Rockets like rhinology said. Morey loves Yao. Les loves Yao. And players never has a problem with the guy. Most likely, Yao will retire a Rocket.
The changes to our offense/defense and having Adelman as coach indicates that we are not sorely building around Yao. The transition from Yao+Mac era has already taken place. Will Yao continue to be a part of the Rockets' future? Most likely. Yao can still contribute to winning if he comes back healthy. Why don't we build around someone better? I think you guys seriously underestimate Morey. You don't think he would've done that if he could? You don't just find a franchise player and say come to Houston. We all know he's been working and trying to get Bosh for now. Don't sign Yao. That sounds like a hater. You either trade him or try sign and trade after his contract is up.
OP, are you oblivious to the huge money Yao pulls in, not only for the owner, but for players/potential Rockets? Chinese endorsements for Battier, Artest, Franchise, even Hayes, I think; more I'm forgetting. You think they don't tell Chris Bosh etc "Hey, don't forget the Chinese endorsement deals you'll be getting!"
I think that as Yao returns, he'll be seeing less playing time than in previous years...starting of course, but perhaps subbed out before the end of the first and then trotted out as needed. He'll still be a force on our team and something other teams will have to plan for, just for the threat of having him back in the game if for no other reason. I love Chuck, but I think another big as a backup center would be a very good acquisition for us if it's possible. Andersen's a good third, but not yet where he needs to be for playing as much of the game as he would be, if what I postulate is true.
