As the title implies, this is strictly for conjecture, so don't read on if you don't want to entertain the thought (although IMHO a very realistic one) of Yao leaving H-town. Everyone knows I love Yao, but I do think his problems this season are mostly his own, and I think he has somewhat worn out his welcome with his teammates and to some extent, even his coach. But regardless of whose primarily at fault (Yao, VG, guards, etc), Yao is clearly struggling this season, and just, if not more, importantly he is clearly not having much fun on the court. Moreover, I learned a couple months ago from an "insider" I spoke to (take that for whatever you will, as I won't go into any further detail), Yao is indeed considering other teams, such as LA. Again, this may mean very little...I mean don't all pending free agents "consider" other teams? In this case, however, I think it's very realistic to think that Yao might want to join Rudy in Los Angeles, where you know Rudy would be the positive motivator that Yao craves, while allowing him to mix up his offense by posting him in the low AND high post. The important thing to consider here is that should Yao decide that LA is indeed where he wants to play, Houston loses A TON of leverage in that LA will be well under the cap at that time with Brian Grant and others coming off their books, and would not need to make a trade to acquire him. Furthermore, other teams will likely not want to trade for a player that will end up moving the next year. That being the case, here is the question... what would the ROX' best move be to deal with a fleeing YAO? I think the move is to talk to TEAM YAO right now, cuz if he ain't happy, we should see who might want to rent him for a couple of years. Otherwise, I do believe that we could find ourselves in a very tough position after next season.
This is what annoys the heck out of many. Under your idea, Yao accepts the qualifying offer after year 4 to play year 5, and becomes a free agent three summers from now, which is when Brian Grant expires. Three summers from now is a LONG time. Three summers ago, the Rockets were excited about adding Yao Ming to a rookie Eddie Griffin to be the new twin towers, in combination with a backcourt featuring 2 20 ppg scorers. Two summers ago, the Rockets balked at trading Eddie Griffin for Rashard Lewis. Further, the CBA is about to expire, and we have no idea how that is going to affect things. Your idea that the Lakers will be well under the cap is even more laughable. It's way too early to predict something like that. Even further, they will have around 33 million committed to 2 players- Kobe and Lamar Odom. If you think the Lakers will be way under the cap then- the Rockets will currently only have 22 million committed to 2 players (TMac and Howard). Even further, given the life expectancy of coaches in the NBA, and Rudy's health issues/age, it's hardly a given that Rudy will be coaching the Lakers then. Or, given the presence of Kobe Bryant plus another guy who needs the ball in his hands in Odom, that Yao would have nearly the role in the offense he has even here.
i will play along just because there has been no real news to talk about lately. if yao were to decide he wants to leave for LA, i can only assume that we would get the same package they got for shaq. grant will be off the cap but odom, butler, and mihm would be ok. if we decided to trade him before he becomes a FA i would trade him to the clipps. sterling is about making $$ and thats what yao brings.i would start with yao and Jho for brand then work on who else we can get. now since we have 3 years (maybe just 2) to get yao happy here, all we need in that time is a PF who can rebound and a PG who can shoot and play D. think about how good this team would be with marco jaric and kurt thomas. we are only 2 players away from being elite.
well...if you believe NIKE's post regarding cap issues....and you should...cause he is one of our best capologists(for those that dont know) then it appears that either beyao's insider doesnt know crap about the NBA(somewhat likely)...or beyao made it up to disquise yet another Yao to LA thread(very likely). basically....once again...I aint worried at all......Yao will improve enough to where we can depend on him to play at the level he should...and the Rockets will do everything in their power to ensure he wants to resign here.....
Hypothetical: What TWO players would you trade Yao for? [I doubt we would trade him for 1 player] Rocket River
I don't who your insider is, but I remember someone posting that Yao's official website had a poll about how fans would think about him being on the Lakers. Of course, it's all hypothetical, but I just find Yao on the Rockets to be a bad fit. It's no fault of him. It's no fault of JVG. Yao is what he is. He was never a low post monster when he was drafted, and he will never be. JVG has the memory of an elephant when it comes to the centers of the 90s. Guys like Hakeem, Ewing, and Shaq are etched in JVG's mind. The odds of JVG utilizing Yao in a manner besides those guys is nil. I think JVG can win, but I see his schemes require certain kinds of players. With that being said, Yao requires a certain kind of coach to succeed. He needs one who is way more open-minded as to how a big man can play the game. Even though I am a Rockets fan, I knew Steve was going to be better off on a team that would allow him to freewheel. He's got that now. The same now goes with Yao. I don't enjoy watching players rot when I know they are capable of much more.
Charvo has consistently proposed Odom, Milhm, and Butler for Ming. I like Ming very much but if LA would do such a trade, it is certainly worth considering. When Dr. Ramsey starts having doubts about Ming, that is not a good sign. I really don't think Ming is going to reach his potential with JVG, Ewing, and the current Rockets. With TMac, Odom, Milhm, and Butler, the Rockets might be a better team.
I'm sorry - didn't Ming just drop a 20 spot on the Heat and outplay (or at least play to a draw) Shaq today
I think everyone who suggests to trade Yao for anyone other than possibly KG, Duncan, or Dirk should be banned immediately.
I used to play a card game named upgrade in chinagames.com,Yao ming is one of my best partner there. Dont make me wrong,he didnot tell me who he is, but some of his teammate told me it is him. For players not cheating in the game, the server provide a function that players can check others' IP.(there are guys play in same cyber cafe, so they know each other's card.) for a few time, I chceck his(named noah ark and leaf) IP and they came from Houston(home game), CA(he visite the ocean park during off session), shang hai(go back to china). So i recognized he is yao ming. But he ddinot know i knew that. I have asked him as a fan which NBA team he like most as a fan.To all u supprise. east: NY west:MN then I guess if he were traded, he will choose MN,knick,mavs. the teams he will never and ever join, lakers(kobe piss him off), clipper(unloyality boss)
