I mean, obviously at 7'6" he has added pressure on certain points of his body. That is a given and is a fact. But, I dont think we can pin his injuries on playing time in the NBA or on the Chinese National team altogether. Sure, he deserves a rest in the off season just like all the other guys and he was going to get it this year. But, the bottom line, the poor guy has had a stretch of bad luck when it comes to injuries. Same with me... In 5 years of college football, I got one season in... Not my fault, just luck of the draw...
That article is baby back bull *****. Blaming the Nba for his injures. Playing in the NBA also pays him 16 million a year, where as he plays for free in the summer for china. Also, I have a quck question. Can anyone confirm if Yao still has to give half is salary to the CBA or has that just for his rookie contract?
That would be funny. Cnina took 50% to fill the rumorers' mouth, US government took 40% as tax. team Yao took 10%. Yao might have a huge debt now if he does not own a restaurant.
Well there is one place paying him to play and one place forcing him to play.There is one he does for a job and wants to do and the other he feels obligated to do. There is no doubt he has alot of stress in the NBA on his body but there is no doubt he adds to it by also playing for his team in China while other NBA players can choose not to and heal in the offseason. You could say if he never playes in them long summer games he might never get injured in the 82 game season just as easily as they say the reverse. The fact is the NBA makes Yao into what he is and if Chinca wants positive coverage and global recognition in basketball the best thing is to look after their icon and let him play NBA basketball only.
An 82 game season for multiple seasons do break most players. Think of any player who amounted to anything in the NBA. It's abnormal for a player to go through the grind of the NBA w/o getting injured. Plus, most players do not get hacked on a consistent basis like Yao.
Im just glad the chinese goverment is admitting these injuries are thier fault.....way to be stand up guys
Look at it both ways though. Yao was a CNT player before he was a national team player. Part of the agreement allowing him to come over to play in the NBA was that he would also continue to play for the CNT so it wasnt some big surprise that they wanted him to compete in the summer. Im sure they are tired of hearing they are the root of all evil and the reason Yao is hurt so they fired back. Put it this way, should the Rox be more concerned about Yao playing for them or for the CNT. Of course it is for them. That being said, should the CNT be more concerned about Yao playing for them or the Rox. Of course they care more about themselves just like everyone else would. Yes, I know the Rox pay his salary. I dont think that matters much to the CNT. I wish he was done for good playing for the CNT, but I see why they dont feel it should be them that loses out on Yao. Worthless tournaments or not, if they want to be the least bit competitive they need him on the team.
Injuries, for one, are part of the game. Yao falls into the class of players such as Walton and Bowie for whom injuries ended their ability to play. Shaq, who arguably has been hacked more than Yao, has done much better with regards to injuries. (factoring in this full season out, which you kinda have to) whether you are canadian, chinese, or american, part of the game and player management is dealing with injuries that come in part due to the rigors of the schedule. Same goes for baseball and football.
He's worth it at some dollar figure. It might not be the max. Or it might be. I'd rather pay max for a guy who can play in the postseason than someone who can only play the regular season. It's speculative. I think he'd have most of the same problems regardless of his Chinese schedule. He isn't the first big man to have foot problems because of the rigors of NBA basketball.
Yea it's definitely possible he would have the same issues. But one thing I think we can all agree on is playing with the CNT definitely does not help him in anyway. He more than anybody in the NBA could use the rest.
I agree...that is true, anybody can see that..however, which of the two (nba or cnt) means more to basketball globablly and to Yao.. I think everybody knows that the NBA has made Yao into a global icon and Yao himself has said that he wants to concentrate on his NBA career goal of winning a championship....
Oh, Again! the biased American media made up something that makes Chinese people look bad. I am a Chinese fan, and I read Chinese sports website and newspaper , watch TVs everyday but never heard anything like this, and I have never heard anyone complaining NBA season is too long so far. It is possible that dig it from an unseen corner, but surely not from major medias.
Besides repeating what I stated, what is the point of this reply? Injuries ending careers is the logical end unless you're smart enough to retire or get booted off. Yao's body of work thus far invalidates his injury with Bowie. And Walton is a HOF. And last time I checked, Yao's career isn't over. Money says he gets injured again, but who knows what Yao will have done before his career is over. The Shaq example only reinforces what I said. The extra added hacking Yao takes only increases his chances of becoming injured. Did Shaq become injury prone? Yes. If Shaq fared better, good for him. But I beg to differ. Shaq became a shell of himself after his injuries. Finally, I'm not sure what flag I wave or salute to has anything to do with this discussion.
