[SI]Rockets, GM Morey still view Yao as 'essential part' of franchise

and your take is???

 

I want Yao to retire a Rocket, what's the sense in keeping him to the curb just so we can replace him with a loser scrub that stays on the inactive list?

As it is, Yao already "subsidizes" the roster. If you can sign him for less than he brings in, as long as insurance will cover his money while injured, it's a no brainer.

Hopefully he becomes a good value off the bench.

 

Yao is nowhere near Hakeem's level, in terms of their contributions and skills. Hakeem always was and will always be better than Yao, who falls into plave somewhere between Hakeem and Ralph.

As for Yao's place on the Rockets in the future, i say fook signing him for max money unless he can play 70 games for 30-35 mpg or 82 games at 25-30 mpg. This is meant to compensate for his marketing value to the team, which, BTW, doesn't help us win games. For Les to sign Yao to another Max deal without assurances as to his future health would signal to me that the Rockets care more about money than winning. I'm an entreprenuer, so I get the bottom line, but as an attorney I don't expect business unless I am winning for my clients. Les should have the same point of view when it comes to the fans (outside of China, I might add).

As for Hakeem going to the Raptors, I still say that was great! He got to keep playing while not strapping our finances. You don't pay for present services on past ability. No next contract bonus checks. If you aren't ready to retire, be Karl Malone and go to the Lakers, or Gary Payton to the Lakers then the Celtics.

 

It's obvious that Les is clingy, and it's going to be up to Yao to end the relationship. Let's hope the big man has too much pride to be a glorified hood ornament, and announces his retirement.

 

rep for Futurama reference

 

Lot of Yao was this and was that by Morey. Like Yao was a allstar and war an integral part tells me he knows Yao is done, but the Business side dictates Yao is the major part of what sdrives Les's bottom line right now.

 

Love the Rockets, always have and always will. However, I would llike to see us win another championship before leaving this planet. So resigning Yao to a minimum deal is okay, but use that $10 mln plus Shane's and Jeffries's $7 mln each to potentially sign Dwight Howard, because our surrounding cast is much better than the Magic's. The Magic aren't going anywhere.

 

It's amazing how Yao just misshape impression.

Forget Hakeem since the comparison's not valid. But let's suppose Mutumbo played his last great years with the Rockets and is now old. No longer worth an eight figure contract he's currently making. Then Morey bust out with the same message. What would be the reaction?

The normal reaction would be "If we can resign him for a low enough figure and play him sparingly, it would be a good move" Yet people aren't commenting on just what is a good figure for Yao. How Yao might fit as a bench player with limited role. Instead it has to be the Chinese money. For nothing else makes sense now to fans.

I'm wondering if who feels more connection between Yao from Money, fans or the management.

 

Yao is loyal... he does not expect max..and will resign for less money with rockets then go to other teams..

5 year deal for 8 million a year = 40 million

 

The big man has too much pride to announces his retirement. He will fight back and bring back the trophy. (Fixed)

 

Honestly what do you guy expect Morey to say when asked about Yao's future in the franchise?
You expect Morey to say the truth like "Yao is done! We will let him walk away if he still can walk." stuff like that? No. Diplomatically of cause Morey will say the Rockets would like to sign Yao if possible.

 

I have no info, but just based upon the situation, I would bet almost anything that Morey would like to flip Yao's contract this season, but Le$ will not let him as he makes too much money personally in China because of Yao.

DD

 

just resign Yao for a cheaper price, let him heal, when he get back, he will become a great backup C, you don't throw away good backup Cs for nothing.

Since no team right now will take Yao, I think it's farily sure to say, DM will try to resign Yao. Book it..

 

My Xmas, New Years, and Birthday wish is that for Yao to be gone by the offseason.

At the very least gone as a player. He can work as an assistant coach, a scout for us in China, or even in Les' marketing team. As long as he's done as a player.

 

This whole argument is ridiculous.

Yao is finished. Of course Les will never let the guy go but Yao is never going to play in the NBA again.

The only thing to hope for is that the Rockets dont committ an amount of salary that has a detremental effect on the Rockets getting to a championship.

But Yao coming back from a serious injury as this, when he basically has been injured for five years is like expecting The Dream to come back and play.

It's ridiculous

 

Some of you guys are taking it way too seriously. What do you expect DM to say? Just like some random fans here, "He's done, he was garbage 2 years ago." "If it weren't for his China connection and $$ he brought, we would have shipped his a$$ out long time ago"?

Come on, he's the GM, facing the media, speaking on behalf of the organization, talking about an injured player who's still under contract. Even if they buy out his contract or trade him tomorrow, he would have said the same thing.

Those interviews are useless as usual.

 

I don't think so. Morey is a highly intelligent guy and knows that his owner wants to keep Yao if there's still a chance that he can play. He knows that insurance is covering most of the lost salary from Yao, lost salary in the sense that we're paying and he's not playing. Morey also knows he's got an excellent chance at an injury exception, which he can use if the right circumstance arrives. I don't think Dork Elvis is losing sleep over not being able to "flip" Yao's expiring contract in a deal. If anything, I bet he's losing sleep trying to game the best contract the team can get for Yao, one that will not kill our cap and will allow for Yao to be rewarded if, a big if, he can play at a productive level again. That's what I think he's losing sleep over, that and a million other things.

 

According to Ken Berger's blog/article, Yao's expiring and insured contract is available to be used if a major deal needs it. Makes sense since even if you want Yao back, you can always just sign him during free agency (he's not looking at above MLE dollars according to Mannix's interview on the radio). The only difference is you don't have his Bird Rights and who know what the next CBA looks like. But if the Rockets really does need an $17 million expiring contract to make, say, a Carmelo Anthony deal happen, would be hard to imagine they won't touch Yao.

For any other minor/medium-sized deal, Jeffries and Battier each has mid-sized expirings, AB has a small expiring, not sure if there is a need to use a $17 mil contract to balance the salaries.

 

you don't get it. Les wants Yao to stay whatever. Money talks.

 

you are hopeless.