You might not be aware of this, but Robben has been injured ever since, and has not been able to play one minute. This guy Dick van Toorn is a grade A charlatan. They made Robben play although he had a torn muscle. They succeeded in getting him to play for a short time at the World Cup even though he was clearly injured, thereby causing longer-term damage, to the detriment of his club Bayern Munich. Bayern Munich is about to sue the Dutch Football Federation for this.
You're probably right about new business opportunities, but you're not considering Yao's impact on existing business relationships.
this isn't just about endorsement. this exposes Les to opportunities in a part of the world he had zero connection to before Yao.
I don't anything the Rockets in respect to Yao Ming anymore. They make that Baghad pr guy look good by comparison.
Spoiler Some of us did. Although in my case, it was more like 2 years. Not me, I LOVE the guy. Doesn't change reality though. He's done.
...to be honest. I'm not surprised. Yao appears to be done. He may come back and play one day. But like TMAC....he'll be a shell of his former self. Injuryies will always be lingering. For now, he's just collecting $$$$. So, who's taking advantage of who now? Les still suckin gin the $$$....or has Yao become the $$$$ gatherer. Sucks.
I have a feeling, Adelman is the one holding Yao back and not letting him play or practice. I may remind you of the T-Mac situation from last year. The difference is, Yao will stay calm and quiet, and Tracy didn't agree and said it openly which wasn't the best thing. The team is playing much, much better. Brad has been playing really well and I think that may be Yao's problem. Adelman loves Miller and he will play him no matter what. He also has the young Hill and I think Alexander and morey are forcing him to play and develop Hill. I belive Adelman has a problem with coaching superstars now. He wans to run his offense, he wants guys moving and passing the ball. And once you have that great player, the ball has to be in his hands which doesn't allow Rick to run his offense. That pisses off Rick imo. Now, with Yao and McGrady injured, he kinda feels the freedom to do what he wants to. Yao is not what Yao once was. He can play but he can play only 24 minutes and not quite at that all star level. I am starting to belive that Adelman is done with Yao. He really is. He never really could use Yao in the correct way (high posts, etc). And the 24 minute limit pisses him off even more. Solution: Adelman or Yao have to go. It won't be Adelman, because of what he did last season, what he did against LA, etc. You can't just fire a coach. Rick knows it. So does the organization. They may tell him to play Yao, but Adelman will do whatever he wants, he's shown that. Now, will Yao stay quiet and calm and wait until they let him in? Or will he open his mouth like Tracy did?
Do you seriously believe that Adelman can usurp the GM and the owner to have the doctors say that Yao isn't ready to play if he really is ready to play? You can't just fire a coach? Really? Coaches get fired all the time. Hell, there are fans calling for his head already.
They do get fired, but would you rather trade Yao or fire Adelman? IMO There is no way Adelman gets fired, even if he doesn't want Yao at all.
And you maybe right. I think the simpler answer is the guy who is constantly injured over the course of the past few years is injured after having suffered an injury while trying to make a comeback from a surgery. No conspiracy theory necessary.
We are playing well right now, figure out a way to have Yao come off the bench at some point. It makes perfect sense, we will be in the penalty and Yao will face weaker players and not have as much pressure. Then next year he can sign for the vet minimum.
