Yao Ming isn't even the most popular player in China anymore, I bet he won't get anything more than $10mil/yr.
Because Yao is a much better player than Gortat, simple really. I don't think a team like the Rockets would benefit by signing Yao to the MLE (although I would like to see that happen.) a team like the Lakers that can afford to take a risk on Yao's health (as in, have enough depth to compete without him) would be laughing all the way to the championship if the risk pays off.
This team can succeed with Yao on the roster, even eating up a ton of money. What this team can't succeed with is Yao coming in and out of the starting line-up. Which is where the real problem comes in. He won't take a bench role, and sure as hell won't take bench money. I'd love to keep him on the team in a limited role, but I just cannot see that happening, for a lot of reasons.
WHEN healthy Yao Ming is a better player, but we don't know if he will ever be healthy again. Gortat can at least do his role and stay healthy and contribute on the court. I don't see to many teams that would pay Yao to ride the pine like he has here in Houston. If were talking about on the court contributions, at this point in both players career Gortat is the victor.
Not really, Gortat would be more of a help to us, but for a team like the Lakers that can afford to take a risk on Yao's health, they would take Yao 9 times out of 10 because the potential pay off is greater than anything Gortat could offer. We should have just signed Amir...
Exactly. To me the situation is exactly the same (at least it seems that way). The difference is between Yao and McGrady. McGrady loves talking and Yao is quiet. McGrady said it straight (maybe he wasn't really right) but he let other know. I think Yao will remain quiet.
I agree, I don't mind the Lakers signing Yao to an MLE it somewhat makes sense for them, they are a stable franchise that has an obvious direction. The Rockets on the other hand I think need to completely rid themselves of this predicament and start fresh and have all $ spent on players that are hopefully going to stay healthy and be able to contribute and grow on a nightly basis.
The difference is this: People were wondering if McGrady still had game... while people were wondering if Yao is healthy. There's a big difference there... McGrady had shown that his injuries had decreased his game, while Yao has not shown that, he played for a long time with foot and ankle problems, and still dominated...
Of course this is dependent on what he is able to show for the rest of the season.. but there are teams that haven't sniff'ed the playoffs for Years. Have been horribly crappy at drafting and free agent signings. And probably got money to burn and will spend 10 mill a year for a semi healthy Yao. (Yes I know big big question mark on the healthy part) I mean look at Elton Brand. He got signed to a 5 year 80 mil contract after he just played 8 games in 07-08 when his Achilles ruptured.
Even though expirings don't seem to be as valuable as in years before (especially with so many huge trade exceptions and no team having imploded into clearing the house mode) I think they should not only listen, but make a real effort to see what can Yao's contract net. We must be the team with the most massive array of expirings, and we got other assets (although we lost an enticing one in C-Bud... RIP). Around the times of the Melo to Houston rumors (and I am not sold on him being the answer) I used to daydream of snatching Nene along with him, making Yao available could make this type of ma$$ive trades less impossible. I say put Yao on the market, if we can make something big happen with his contract I’m sure the Karma police won’t come after us, if anything, it would be a compensation for our tribulations.
I know one way Yao made Les a lot of money, when insurance was paying for both Yao and Tmac's contracts the Rockets made a MINT......they saved over $30 million in salaries that year all while still charging the same for tickets etc.... DD
No I don't hate Yao Ming...but I pity the fool. Spoiler Just kidding, I don't pity him nor do I think he's a fool. I just wanted to get a Clubber Lang reference in. What I DO hate is the fact that my favorite team for 30+ years still has it's collective wagon hitched to him and doesn't seem to want to admit that it's time to move in another direction.
Yao can play a role like Bill Walton played on the 1986 Boston Celtics. Now, all we need now is to obtain somebody like Larry Bird and Kevin McHale...GIT'R'DONE MOREY!
Heh, you think if Yao was healthy he wouldn't put up his old numbers? His game was never athleticism. It was skill. Unlike Tracy. Tracy McGrady is 100% healthy right now and sucks butt. Give me a 100% healthy Yao Ming and you've got yourself a dominant center. Disagree? You think his baby hook is gone? Can't hit the open man? Why?
