Yao's agent is simply saying what he has to in order to protect Yao's commercial interest. Jeff Van Gundy can b**** about the shoes publicly as much as he wants because he doesn't have a contract with Reebok and is unlikely to be seeking any kind of endorsement deals for the rest of his life. Yao has a contract with Reebok, and I'll bet part of the contract says something like "Only say nice things about our shoes" and "Don't publicly b**** about our shoes (even if you think it sucks)." You know, it being a endorsement deal and all. If he has a problem, the contract probably requires him to keep it quiet and resolve it with the shoe company. Now, I suppose his agent could have said "No comment" on Jeff's complaints, maybe that doesn't violate the contract, but that probably doesn't make Reebok look too happy since it might look like Yao's people tacitly agrees with Jeff-- or maybe they even put Jeff up to it since they can't do it themselves. So, it's probably best for Yao's folks to come out and publicly disagree in order to preserve that relationship with Reebok. Besides, Yao's agent probably doesn't want his client to get a reputation as the kind of guy who would sign an endorsement deal and come out and trash the product. Jeff Van Gundy, on the other hand, couldn't care less about what shoe companies or any other companies in the endorsement market thinks of him. I mean, look at him... what can he possibly endorse? I don't know what the true facts are, but it seems like from the article the problem occurred not from how the shoe works in normal activity, but specifically how it does nor does not protect Yao's toe when he is stepped on. Also seems like Yao requested some modifications to his current shoe but the new ones haven't arrived yet. My guess is when Yao got the bruised toe after being stepped on, Jeff talked to him about protecting himself and maybe requesting some changes with his shoe... Yao probably said something like "Yeah, I did a while ago, and is just waiting for the new one to arrive"... and then Jeff probably went off the wall and start going "I can't believe them Reebok mother****er mother****ing screwed this up... fine, let me go and blast them in the media and see if they do somethinga bout this ****." Then Yao's agent has to come out and not make it look like his client told bad things about Reebock to JVG or even put JVG up to the b****ing. Anyone remember how Van Gundy got fined $100,000? The mofo can go crazy when he sees his player/team isn't being treated fairly.
No excuse for this, Reebok, his doctors, his management team someone has to take ownership of this. Protecting Yao's feet is critical and the place to start is with his shoe, if his shoe doesn't have some kind of protection from his toes being stepped on then someone hasn't been doing his job. I agree though, Reebok is a poor third or forth maker of sneakers, owned a pair of Reebok cross trainers, heaviest, clunkiest pair of sneakers I ever owned. First and last pair of Reeboks I will ever own.
Yao's agent said that Yao is allergic to JVG. That's what I was talking about. That's a shot at Van Gundy
he should have custom made shoes re-enforced with kevlar, just like Batman. who care's if they cost $5000 a pair, he only makes something like 150K per game and he stands to lose much more if his career is shortened.
Maybe that's the problem: you spotted the problem wednesday morning, then you decided he was good to go later that night and then the next morning. Great thinking, it must be the shoes!!!!!!!!!
The problem is that the problem even occurred to begin with. If Reebok had done it's job there would be no problem to spot on Wednesday morning now would it?
A lot of people make light of playing in improper basketball shoes--whether it be your regular pick up game or a real NBA game.
Yao just needs to get Reebok to customize a pair of Rockports into hightops, problem solved. I don't see a capped toe shoe as a solution in basketball. IMO it's about more cushioning/padding there.
I had a pair of reeboks once. Once. The piece of plastic or whatever that was supposed to support the heel of the foot came loose, cut through the fabric, and ended up causing blisters on the heel of my foot. Never wore reeboks again. Worthless pieces of dung IMO.
JVG is right. Someone needs to act on Yao's best interests and fix this NOW! I just can't believe that no one can come up with a pair of shoes that are comfortable for him and protect his toes when being stepped on. Hell, throw some bubble wrap in the damn things. Something! Now, the oppponent's best defense against Yao is stepping on his foot.
I agree completely. It is obvious that instead of Hack-A-Shaq, opponents are gonna do the Stomp-n-Tromp on Yao. It is going to be a continuous problem unless he gets a shoe designed that gives him some type of armour on the top of his foot, while being lightweight, and still having the flex and bending points. I would think the material to absorb several hundred pounds of force while being featherweight has to already be available. It is simply a matter of incorporating it into shoe design. And Reebok, if they had any sense at all, would be on that like flies on poop. It would sell like crazy. Everybody that has played this game has been stomped on a few times and it hurts! Everyone playing this game wants toe protection.
Wow, I didn't know so many posters regard Reebok shoes a sh*tty brand. Does Shaq still wear Reebok shoes nowadays? Anybody have an idea about Yao's contract with Reebok, like when is it up for renewal? To echo others' sentiment, I can't believe Reebok hasn't come up with specially designed shoes that reinforce the protection of the injury-prone regions on Yao feet, be they the left big toe or the fifth metatarsal. Consider Yao's humongous marketing impact, Reebok is not doing itself a big favor with such bad publicity.
I may remember this incorrectly, but last year when Yao had toe issues they did indeed use a plastic protector, don't know what style or how it was employed. Yao didn't like wearing it. What stands out to me in this article is Gundy saying repeatedly that Yao has to demand that it be done right, and be done right NOW. I think he's saying that Yao isn't being demanding enough about Reebok doing the redesigns perfectly, and getting them to him immediately. It's easy to imagine Yao being undemanding and non-confrontational. That is not a problem with coach!
The worst shoe ever? The Etonics that Dream pimped back in the day. Felt like I had a couple of cement blocks on my feet.
Yeah but it doesn't necessarily mean they were merticulously designed for Yao. Agreed. I think if Yao lacks the personality to be demanding and confrontational, maybe Team Yao need to do more than acting as Yao's liaison to appearing in commericals and social events. They should be leading the charge to fight the vicious capitalists!
I don't understand the agent. Does he want Yao to cintinue to get injured? Just get the man the right shoes. Geez. The more you wear a bad shoe, the more the toe will get hurt in the long run. That's why he had no problems in FIBA, he was fresh off of surgery. By the end of the season, he'll need more surgery. Just be safe and get him a shoe. And damn Reebok.
I can't belive how JVG can make his usual frustration remarks and 95% of the people here take it as gospel. A shoe co. should solve Yao's toe problems? I don't disagree with anything Yao's agent said, but I do wonder what any podiatrist would say in response to JVG's thinking. And Yao will have to respond to this bs. I'm learning to ignore JVG's mouth but it will be intresting to see how he reacts this year knowing he's coaching for his job. I suspect there will be fireworks even if we're doing well.
