Yao Ming is incredible. I think (as I was jumping up and down last night) that I actually had tears running down my face as I was giggling. I haven't been this excited in a while. Just like everyone else, I want to see him continue to excel and continue to improve. I want to see him end his career as a Rocket. Therein lies the problem. The NBA allows contracts to be structured in such a manner that encourages the best players to stay with their current team. If you're a max player, you can get a few million more by staying at home. But Yao's value extends WAY beyond his player contract earning potential. For his American team, he's an incredible marketing tool to extend our reach into China. And to China, he's a national treasure and the PERFECT ambassador of good will. He's already convincing Americans that China isn't full of a bunch of crazy commies. China is just another nation of people (a lot of them) like ourselves....they just happen to have a government that is structured differently. Nevertheless, China IS a little different from the US. And Yao seems to be very loyal to his country. What if China doesn't want Yao to remain a Rocket? What happens if we don't get a championship in the next four years? What if an injury here, or a missed free throw there, or if we just never quite grasp the concept of team ball well enough to get us over the final hump......what happens to the Chinese view of whether Yao should remain a Rocket after his rookie contract? What if Shaq is retiring about that time and Kobe is in his prime? What if NY gets their act together by then and is considered to be close to championship contention.....except for that one missing piece---the big man in the middle? They say that winning cures all ills, but what happens if we just can't quite grab the brass ring within the next four years? Is China that patient? Will Houston be "known" well enough four years from now to matter? How do we keep Yao in Houston? It's never too early to think about.
Excellent question Pole and very well said. China will have to be patient, they will only damage the relationship built with the NBA and all other teams trust if they play dictator. There is no gaurantee of rings to be had in any city. I would hope there are parameters inside Yao's contract as to the extent that China can control what happens beyond his 3 yrs or even 10. What lies in it we can only speculate but I can't see HST ever letting him get away. If all goes as I and all of the Rockets fans wish I can see Yao becoming his own player and person that controls what is in his best interest but still loyal to his country.
This is where it really helps that Yao has character of solid gold, and that Rockets management loudly and proudly believed in him long before the rest of the sports establishment came around.
Donnt worry, I lived in ShangHai for many years. And I feel it not a problem to keep Yao in Houston. generally speaking, we Chinese not only loyal to his country but also loyal to his team. Only for some very exceptional reasons, they have to give up their loyalty. Until now, many fans of Shaq in China cannt understand why Shaq leave Magic to Lakers.
Its all about respect (and money of course). The Rockets organization has been respectful to a fault with the Chinese government and with Yao, and I believe that goes further than anything else in this game. Besides, as long as he keeps pulling in mass amounts of money (which he surely will come contract time) I doubt very seriously they will care where he is playing at. Oh yea, and as long as we do not pull a Mavs on them, they should have no problem with YM staying in Houston.
Gosh, sometimes people can create things to be worried about. Let's enjoy our full glass and not worry about it for several years down the road. Then we can debate whether the glass is half full or half empty. Right now, we are looking at one long, cool glass that's filled to the brim!
Yao said he wanted to be a Rockets for life. I guess that is part of the reason he bought a house immediately after he arrived in Houston. There is no doubt Yao is loyal to China. But it doesn't conflict with making millions of dollars for himself and get a few hotties. There is no way the CBA officials can control Yao right now. Yao have taken a photo with President Jiang and Bush Senior. I don't think the CBA officials have ever had a chance like that.
Don't worry, pal. There is nothing China's basketball officials can do if Ming decides to sign a contract with Houston once his rookie contract is done. If they upset Ming, they might not even get that whatever percentage cut off Ming's salary. How to keep Ming? Well, that's easy. Keep winning and keep him happy. I am not sure how much you know about Chinese, but most of us don't like moving from places to places as much as Americans do . Shrimpie
Yao is not a hater. He's not greedy or looking for fame. HE LOVES BASKETBALL and will play to win. He's not goin anywhere ever. # 11 will be retired in this city and this city alone, I GUARANTEE IT
Are we really talking about Yao's contract extension possibilities after 4 years after only 15 games of his rookie season? I have a book for you guys: <img src="http://lookinside-images.amazon.com/Qffs+v35lerZk8/yDcsXQ/BkjpTSOcPSfj7ot81nBjLPepy1rZSI+RkfZ/tHpB2N63AdPVoVHNo=" width="200">
Who is this mythical "China" you guys keep talkin' about? Speaking of myths that Yao Ming needs to help bust (in addition to the one about the 'crazy' commies')... China is just a normal country like any other. Which authority, precisely, is going to order Yao Ming around? Is it going to be future-President Hu Jintao? That makes as much sense as Dubya taking a position on Steve Francis' contract. Is it going to be the CBA? Unlikely. I'm sure the press will manage to get one of the talking heads out there to start talking about which team he *feels* Yao Ming should go to after his contract expires... but who's going to even attempt to keep Yao Ming from the team he wants to head to? Sharks? The only one you need to be concerned out there, beyond Yao Ming, are his parents. They'll have a huge say in terms of negotiations. Frankly, although it's very probable Yao will command maximum salary when the time comes, I don't know if he'll insist upon it. If Houston for some reason isn't comfortable for his parents (and the # of asians won't be the issue), if the Rockets aren't clicking as a team... then he might leave, even if that means leaving a little bit of $$ on the table. I'd agree with the other Chinese though. There's a high probability (75%+) that as long as Yao and family is treated with respect, and the team has signs of life, that he will be in Houston to stay.
In my business dealings with Chinese (I mean people from China, not Chinese in general) i have found them extremely honorable, and loyal, particularly once a deal has been struck - more so than any other nationality. If the Rockets organization treats Yao well, I would expect him to stick around.
Pole, Glad to know I'm not the only one who gets that emotional over the Rockets. Well, I haven't cried over them since they won a championship. Oh, wait, I cried when they drafted Collier, but that was for different reasons... Yao will be loyal to the organization, and I don't think China will pose a problem. The powers-that-be in China should know that a happy Yao is a productive Yao. From what I understand, Yao was glad not to be drafted by a media-intensive city like NY, Chicago, LA; the spotlight in Houston has been bright enough. I only hope that people will see Yao's talents and put their butts in the seats at Rockets games. Maybe they'll come around a little when the luster of the Texans wears off a little.
Les needs to strike some advertising deals that extend beyond 5 years. What could it be?? How about the naming rights to the stadium going to an influential Chinese company for say, 20 yrs?
Pole, The glass is half full man!! I understand your concerns but I think that Ming will realize that this is a good ballclub that will take care of him. I know that he is loyal to his country but at some point don't you think he will stand up to them if they try to bully him into coming home or changing teams? Ming will be a Rocket for a long time and we will dominate the NBA. Don't worry!
Paranoia strikes deep..... Into your hearts it will creep..... This guy is about TEAM. He is having a blast with these guys. But if you are worried, send him some fan mail. Buy his jersey and cheer him. Go to a game (or 8!) Convince your poor friend who still thinks Barkley plays for us to come, too.
