I guess then my question to axmpo is do you you think that the CBA will allow a clause to recall Yao to be excluded in his contract? Hasn't this been the #1 issue of controversy surrounding his playing here?
heypartner, "I hear that they aren't going for the buxom cheerleaders, though. They prefer to use girls with small breasts. Is that from fan preference, or are the Communists rulers of the CBA holding the Westernized big breasts hostage from the fans. LOL!" 100% misinformation! For the sake of civilization, let me just say that we share the same value in appreciating women's beautity!
Actually, my sources tell me the Sharks inquired about Dave Jamerson's availability. Word is, if the Rockets can ever find him, they're shipping his ass to Beijing with or without his permission.
Don't we all remember very well how this "Shaq" character got abused by Hakeem when he was a youngster? The man still talks about it, because it made such an impact on his career. So, go ahead Shaq, abuse Yao. When you're 39, you'll enjoy the quotes you read in the paper at home in June from your old 7'5" practice dummy.
From what I'm hearing, the biggest problem with the "recall clause" for most Houston fans is the sheer uncertainty. You're afraid that the Rockets will be playing in the conference finals when, all of a sudden, China announces the national team must play Zimbabwe in the "People's Cup" or something. The truth of the matter is most of these international tournaments are planned out far in advance. We already know the approximate timing for the Asian Games, Olympic Games, World Championships, etc... for the next 4-5 years. The Chinese sporting authorities should be able to lay out, for the Rockets, a precise list of dates when Yao Ming will not be available. Other than the Asian Games, most of these major international tournaments will not conflict with the NBA schedule... for the simple reason that the United States (and most other nations) won't send their premier players if it did. This is why the World Championships are being held in August! Yao Ming's playing in the Asian Games this year, which does *not* represent a conflict for other NBA players. I think this is the exception, not the rule. Last year, Wang Zhizhi and Mengke Bateer missed the start of the NBA season not even for National Team responsibilities, but instead for local provincial responsibilities in the All-China Games. I'd expect Houston, in their contract with Yao Ming, to prohibit THAT call-back. So, bottom line, don't worry that this clause will be used unilaterally and without warning. I think it will only be applied at pre-determined points that are revealed to the Rockets management far ahead of time.
