from Hey Partner: Sorry I didn't make myself clear. What I meant was that Yao's missing most of training camp especially this year is going to hurt him and us. The Bateer comparison was only meant to convey my perception of what the NT's directors (or whatever) should consider in the development of their players and program. In Bateer's case I think it's in the NT's best interest that he play in the summer league and try to get a roster spot somewhere in the NBA. In addition to it helping Bateer as a player, I believe it's also a prestige thing for Chinese basketball. Yao's situation is totally different. No, I wouldn't want him to play in the summer league and I don't think for a second missing most of training camp is going to stunt his future development. From a Chinese NT perspective who went from the high of having Yao be an overall #1 NBA pick to a disappointing showing in Indianapolis last year, followed up by Wang refusing to return to China, and then not winning the Asian Games - I could see how they might be a tad touchy about prestige. (Sorry for that sentence.) But if Yao struggles for the first month and a half of the season for whatever reason - adjustments to Van Gundy's system or because Steve or Cat still don't have confidence in him holding his position in the low post etc., you're going to have the same morons in the press that said he was going to be a bust last year spewing almost the same garbage. I realize this is from left field, but unless the Asian Basketball Championships have Olympic qualifying ramifications (does it?) I could see how some authorities over there could be thinking it's in their best interest to get Yao in camp on time. Forget basketball a second (just finished off my karma) and think about everything you may have read concerning the Chinese government's attempts to change worldwide perceptions concerning China. They're desperately trying to open new markets and improve their economy. Yao may do some cool commercials for Visa and Apple, but he's moreso marketing China itself in a way no one else has. As charming as Yao is, the quicker Yao starts kicking serious butt on the court the better his marketability, and the boat that floats highest with his rising tide is China. Back to basketball (phew). I don't know how concerned the powers that be are about this tournament. We keep reading about how their sights are firmly set on medaling at the Bejing Olympics, but who knows? Maybe they think as FlyingDragon feels (I relate as a fan) that they need to stomp Korea and Japan now, and let the future take care of itself. But if that's the case I would have kept Bateer home. That was the only reason I brought Bateer up: it suggested a train of thought that the decision makers may be on. Not that it had any relevance to FIBA regulations or what Yao proved himself to be last year. I'm a Rocket's fan, and me trying not to think like one may be impossible. But I see an outside possibility Yao shows up to camp on time. Sad to say I know this isn't my worst post, but the "i" thing may have spooked me more than I realize. Now I have to recover lost karma and that doesn't make for a fun decade.
