You gotta limit his minutes especially at the start and in my opinion never surpassing 28 a game this season. I really hope we do not end up giving him a max contract for the sole reason that he brings so much money to the team, he is not durable enough to have as the team's marquee player.
Start nice and slow, and increase his mins slowly, with managing running X-rays and checking up on both of his feet during the process, so that near the trade deadline, management will have an idea of what has YAO left in him, then... Resign him (if those tests are good9 or Deal an expiring contract with maybe the best C in the league if healthy, very valuable (if those tests prove he can´t play more then 2 years more) But for that to happen, x-rays and all those results have to be confidential, and Yao can´t show any sign of pain during the season, and average 20 10 2blacks, so that his market value is as hight as possible when big trades are made, so that GMs trust in his health If tests say that those feet are better then ever, no problem, Rox true fans hope this is what happens, because we need a healthy Yao for playoffs, but if not, we have have to get something for the big men
2 yrs ago one of my rigs had 980000 miles and needed a rebuild. Injectors,cams,the whole deal. Took about 3 days and picked it up from houston freightliner. Picked up a load,44000lbs, headed to kansas city. Once i got out of the woodlands, i dropped the hammer and was doing 85mph. Why is the story relevant? Why baby the comeback? You want to see if its ready for the real deal in real time. If yao is playing 33 mins early, then chances are he's ready and now management can feel confident he can hold up. The other method might get him through the season,but do they know if he can hold up?
he will be max player one way or another. I say do what's best for the team - play him to the max of his abilities. There are too many x's and y's regarding his health, contract,.. "Win now"
This team is capable of winning games without him. They can go small and speed up the tempo when he's off the court. Yao should be in the game during the 4th quarter. The first seed and HCA in every playoff series is the number one goal during the regular season, and Yao increases that chance when he's in the game. Adelman should start playing him around at 20-25mpg. When Yao is comfortable Rick needs to play him at least 30 minutes per game by the ASB.
To start off with Yao/Coach will need to test him in the preseason. Before the start the season, Doctors, Trainers Coaching Staff need to have a consultation. Then armed with as much information as possible Adelman should consult with YAO and see what Yao thinks he will be comfortable with. If it falls within the consensus then that is what Yao starts the season with. For example 20 mins per game. The Head Coach plays it by ear and keeps his playing time below 30 mins a game for the rest of Yao's first season back. A friend of mine from Canton told me that the people from Shanghai are just as money grabbing as the Cantonese and he expects Yao to be asking for $100 mil contract. I told him it will be only half of that amount!!
What are you talking about? Contract year and what? What does it mean? Sure, it may be a motivation at some point but when you are HEALTHLY. Yao is not and has not been in few years. I can tell you that he does not care about this right now. He focuses on just getting back and getting his rythm back. I hate when people say that if it is contract year than it means players will just take over and score 30ppg because they are playing for money. You had a great example with T-Mac last year. EXACTLY the same. And I can tell you, Yao doesn't even thing about it. It is not his concern right now and it shouldn't even be. It is SILLY.
They perhaps need to showcase him early ..... But all you have to do is look at Yao's history. What's done is done. Sadly Sam Bowie,etal. isn't even what comes in the dictionary next to bigmen with foot problems anymore. It's Yao's face. And it's sure as hell not his fault. The demands made by the Chinese govt. to play all year every year has caused the stress fractures and foot issues. Like I said, he should have been dealt 3-4 years ago, but a catch 22 likely exists...for I'm sure within the contracts have been some interesting conditions/provisions....and Les has made plenty via Yao/ business connections made through. I'm a Houston Rockets fan first and foremost, have been for over 40 years, and I don't like being held hostage. Enough is enough!
25-30 minutes max. I would also get him some scholl's and knee pads and some Medieval chest plate just in case. If yao can walk, he can play. It's not like he lost his tremendous hops and blazing speed.
Obviously, you bring him around very slowly, monitor carefully, and make this the "last go round." If he is injured again (feet, legs, etc.) you do not renew the contract. Anything more or less is unfair or stupid.
Bring him back after he goes through a good amount of practice, no need to rush (well, maybe there is), and play him 10 min/game for a few games, then increase it by 5 min every few games.
I don't know what kind of stipulations can be put into contracts that are according to the CBA and player's union, but I would be willing to offer Yao the MAX extension RIGHT NOW! ONLY! if the following is met, avg. 30 to 35 minutes per game play in 70 or more games per season If Yao meets or exceeds this, he is paid in full for the season. If Yao plays at or under half a season or averages 20 minutes or less due to injury, his pay for the season drops to mid level range. Basically as long as Yao is healthy and productive, he is worth the max for max years. Even if he were to drop to the mid level pay stipulation, the revenue Yao produces pays for it in itself. Obviously have a clause in the contract where if deemed Yao is damaged goods at some point in the contract, have a waive or buy out option
Go slow,but don't offer him a contract if he can't play well during the season. 20-25 minutes max. Having a good backup center is a must as well.
honestly, it's beyond ridiculous at this point. there are those who think he can do no wrong...and i'm not really critical of those folks, because i definitely understand what it is to be just a hardcore fan of a player. but just straight up objectively?? i can't see it. i can't imagine people being ok with giving max dollars to a guy we think we might be able to fit back into a 20 mpg mode. it's crazy to me. but dollars off the court drive these decision more than wins on the court, i fear.
