On Dan Patrick show, during the Phil Jackson interview, Patrick asked Jackson why he would draft a 17 years old high school player who won’t contribute for a couple years, if he might not be coaching the Lakers much longer himself? Jackson replied that he wished he could swing a deal to bring Yao Ming to the Lakers in the first place, and things would be “a lot easier”. Patrick asked “did you try to swing a deal to get Yao Ming?” Jackson replied “we didn’t get a chance. Houston drafted the guy and had the inside track in signing him. And Yao was very loyal to his team, and there is nothing wrong with that”. (I wish my quote is 100% correct, but the wording isn’t important). So, the Lakers’ much rumored and utterly failed 2007 plan to get Yao Ming has just been confirmed.
Remember Yao is only the fifth best center and the 31st ranked player in NBA. Why would Phil want him? Could it be that Phil knows a little more than that writer at CBS Sportsline?
He said he tried to swing a deal to get Yao Ming, but the Rockets drafted him. You can't try and swing a deal now for when Yao becomes a free agent, so it sounds like he tried to swing a deal to draft him. Maybe try and get Yao to refuse to sign with the Rockets, but he was loyal with the Rockets, the team that drafted him? Even though they had Shaq? I don't know.
Sorry to make this confusing. I am sure Phil Jackson was referring to "drafting Bynum" versus "dealing with Houston to get Yao" this past offseason.
Kobe and Tmac were actually talking about both joining the Suns together two seasons ago when Tmac wanted out of Orlando and Kobe was unsure after the collapse of the HOF Lakers team. It woulda been a lineup of Tmac, Kobe, Amare, Marion and a decade long drought of championships for teams in the NBA not located in Phoenix. Good thing for the Rockets that that never panned out ...
I can imagine how that conversation went, when Mitch Kupchak called CD about swinging a deal for Yao. MK: Hey CD. How'd you like to make a deal for Yao. You can have anyone except for Kobe. CD: Hahahahahahaha. MK: Okay, including Kobe. CD: Bwahahahahahahaha. (Hangs up) MK: CD? You still there? Hello?
Their owner is Bill Gate? I guess even Bill Gate would think twice before paying the luxury tax for these players. Oh, may be he would pay Steve Nash to bring the ball upcourt too. May be may be not.
sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo bad for phil i will give them a rookie card of Yao to make him feel better that will give the illusion to phil that Yao is in the bench and can call him
I think it's a cultural thing being loyal. I don't even think a 10 million dollars difference in contract money would bother Yao to change team. But the Rockets management has been very generous to give him a max contract when his performance isn't very consistent. I think Yao would stay in Houston until he gets traded when they think his tank is empty, just like what happened to Hakeem.
Well the only thing that has been consistent with Yao is that his numbers keep on going up every year. We're giving him the max because we can see Yao living up to his potentials some time in the not-too-distant future (this season??). Yao deserves the max as much as T-Mac, Kobe, Shaq, or anyone else in the NBA. He works his butt off night in and night out and make sure he can contribute to the team in whatever way he can. Who cares if he doesn't score 30+ points a game a la Hakeem or Shaq in their prime. Yao can make his presence felt by altering shots, grab some key rebounds, draw fouls, and make tons of sweet free throws.
