{Controversial Topic Beware} If Yao Ming wasn't from Asia Would he still be a Rocket?

The thing is were not China. We're all about the money. Would you as a businessman, cut ties with such a mammoth of a cash cow? Hell, I'm proud to call him a Rocket. One day I hope to get a Chinese shoe deal. Air Hayden.

 

Where's the HELL NO option???

 

See my sig below.

 

Yao=good market

good market= more money for Les

 

Yes. It'd be even better if he was black... but not white, lol.

 

Yao being here is more about him being Chinese than being Asian.

He is an icon in China, and Les understands there are more Chinese than anybody else on the planet.

 

If Budinger wasn't white, would he still be a Rocket?

 

Have you asked for the permission of your father first before you posted his pic here?

 

I think we keep forgetting that the man is truly out of shape. Be patient folks. There is however no excuse for the lack of perimeter defense. It is getting pathetic.

 

So much talk about "cash cow"!
Can somebody actually put up a number as to how much "extra" money Yao is making for Les?
Any estimate?!

 

If it was'nt for his $ appeal, we would have shipped his injury prone behind a while ago. Only reason he is still a Rocket is his $$.

 

I pointed this out a few years ago during our 22 game win streak, and said that the revenue factor of Yao Ming would ultimately hold back this franchise for years to come. No person that big can withstand an 82 game season, but in the past teams were able to cut ties with ease, but with Yao we are willing to hold on as long as possible to squeeze every penny out of him.

Remember, the NBA is a business and the rockets are no exception.

On a side note I think Yao is the most talented man ever to play at his size and he is a great guy and its very unfortunate it hasn't worked out for him.

 

i agree with everything you just said. absolutely.

 

That Yao is "Asian" does not matter. However, his being Chinese is important because of the marketing power he has in China, which is a very rapidly growing economic area that is populated with 1.2 billion people. To the extent that the Rockets are evaluating Yao Ming's worth to the Rocket's franchise based on his ability to generate viewership and enthusiasm for the NBA and the Rockets in China, his heritage is important. How many Chinese people would be following the Rockets or Yao Ming so closely if he was not Chinese?

To answer the question in the OP directly, Yao Ming is the best center in the NBA when he is healthy and on his game. That is worth a lot to any NBA team, including the Rockets. It is not time to give up on Yao Ming yet and the Rocket's executives know that quite well.

 

If Chase was white would he still be a Rocket?

 

Chase is the realest black man I've ever met.

 

Come on, Al Jefferson was on some crappy teams. You're starting to see how he can be in Utah now. If Yao was in those pre-Big Three Boston teams and those crummy TWolves teams, I don't think he'd be in the playoffs either. Conversely, give Al Jefferson 2005 T-Mac as a partner and he makes the playoffs. Completely weak argument.

As for Smits, he stayed because he continued to do well in Indiana; had they bombed like the Rockets are, I don't think Smits stays.

 

Yep, he would be.

Are you saying he wouldn't have been given his current contract if he wasn't Asian?

When Yao signed his current contract in 2005, and he hadn't missed any significant time at that point.