If you could, would you keep Yao out of the Beijing Olympics

forget China. USA is making him rich.

 

I would let him play because it is who he is and it is very important to him. I would love for more of our (USA) players would feel that sort of nationalistic pride. Besides, it's helping him get back into game-shape before the NBA season starts.

 

That's what insurance policies are for.

I'm sure we'd all love it if our jobs/careers forbade us to participate in a once in a lifetime dream. Funny how for all the knocks China takes for human rights and freedom, so many people on this board find it so justifiable to deprive this man of his right to choose to play.

 

Now you know why I have tried to get on your case. Because to make an assumption like that is just ignorant and r****ded. You assumed that whoever wants Yao to play in the Olympics is Chinese. I have just read the first few posts. So far, the following posters have said they want Yao to play in the Olympics:

Rileydog, sTeKcOr22, ClutchCityReturns, The_Yoyo, DaDakota, Butterfingers.

Which of them are Chinese? None, I guess. Now do you understand why your assumption is r****ded?

 

You are a moron. Read my post above.

 

I wonder if Cavs are keeping James out of Olympic too.

 

I would say yes and no.

No, because to play for country in Olympics is supposed to be one of the greatest achievements as an athlete, but I don't think people care as much basketball.

Yes, so he won't put his career in jeopardy, if he isn't at least 75%.

 

Of course I would hold him out. Saying he's going to make the events more watched is overstating it. If that's the case, then China should be in every medal rd. If yao had been proven to be durable, then maybe, but he's missed 87 games the last 3. Not to mention he's had 2 season ending injuries. That's why I would draft Hibbert and see how yao holds up over the next 2 yrs. If he's still having trouble and missing 30 games per, I'd move him.

 

wow i tied up the poll. my vote does count

 

Voted "yes"...not chinese.

No one remembers who won NBA Championship last year anyway. Olympics much bigger.

No question.

 

Fixed....

well at least outside of San Antonio.

 

if you said yes i would keep him from playing in the olympics, then you really need to stop and think of how selfish and ignorant your being... i dont understand why anyone would not want him to play in the olympics, pick one if your dream of playing pro basketball came true but for 1 game only... would it be game 7 of the nba finals(in a rockets uniform), or the game that brings home the medal? i know its hard but keep thinking

 

YES YES YES I would do that. I know playing for your country is big and it feels great and Yao just loves it but I better have him healthly for the whole season and playoffs...

 

I'm not Chinese,but I wouldn't keep him out of the Olympics.It would be an act of great betrayal on the part of the Houston Rockets.

 

I agree here. Especially with this year's Olympics being held in China, I can't imagine ANYONE forbidding Yao from participating.

However, after this year, Yao should best be served, both for his own sake (and consequentially his country's pride and the Rocket's #1 guy) and the Rockets. Its been proven in the past that the all-year round timetable schedule of playing for the Rockets and China in the summer was too much on his body. Unless its something like the Olympics, China should not force too much obligation on him(nor Yao himself too).

 

No, this is a one-time opportunity for Yao to play in the Olympics hosted by his home country. In my opinion, it's selfish for people to vote "yes" because this is clearly most important to Yao and the Chinese people. But after the Olympics I hope Yao doesn't have to practice or play for the Chinese team anymore so he can be better rested for the NBA seasons.

 

not this one. this is the olympics and his mother country is the host. you cannot deny yao, the #1 sportsman of china, that opportunity.

HOWEVER, outside of the olympics, i don't want yao to participate in any other events for china b/c well, they're not that good anyways.

houston is on the brink of greatness. yao's closer to winning with houston than with china.

 

I would let him decide. If he wants to play I want him to. If he doesnt I would keep him out.

 

I would want him to play if he was close to 100%, but if there was a significant chance he could injure himself again then obviously I would say nope.

 

I voted no, but it pisses me off that Yao doesn't know how to say no to his masters when they guilt him into playing meaningless offseason games.

Serving your country for Olympics or the Worlds is great, but breaking yourself down year after year in order to save face is ridiculous.