[Reuters] Injury-riddled Yao Ming frets over future in game

They wouldn't be unstoppable when his in a suit sitting on the bench.

 

I think the rockets already move on from the Yao era, why is this still a question? Right now there is not any evidence to suggest that having Yao as a center coming off the bench is not what the rockets need if Yao still can play (of course, a big if), and he is cheap. Of course, I do not want to see Yao who could contribue 8 and 6 for the lakers, dallas, and utah, I think most of the rockets fans would not happy for that. A big question is if he can play, if he can, Les will sign him. I am more worrying about Les for overpaying him than not having him if Yao is going to play the ball again.

 

Stop hating, you are just annoying as a YOF whoever you are hating.

 

Like I stated before, Yao averaging 8 and 6 on this current Rockets team means nothing if he can't play for more than 30 minutes a night and became a defensive liability. "A defensive liability? He's 7'6"!" Yes, a defensive liability when his 300+ frame can't move laterally and would just camp out in the paint get blocking fouls called on him. I don't even want to imagine what happens to him against a fast breaking team.

If Yao wants to sign for the minimum, fine. But if he gets a larger offer elsewhere, takes it, and puts up 6-8 points a night, wouldn't you just applaud his effort in getting back on the floor? Or are we really that petty as a group in thinking that "Damn you Yao! Those few jumpshots you put up would have made all the difference between the Rockets finishing 9th again and becoming a perennial powerhouse!"

 

It is all about marketing, business, then the basketball. That is what I am thinking since Les said on TV a month ago Yao could still play another six years.

 

Okay so now you're saying it's about marketing and business but in your earlier post you were worried whether or not he could play and play for cheap. I realize that Yao is a cash cow for the Rockets in terms of international marketing but what good is he, in terms of marketing, if he's going to only contribute less than his All-Star self playing less than, probably, 15 minutes a night?

 

15-20 minutes per night, one year contract of around $1M, that sounds good for me if he can still play, just a big if.

 

Your point makes sense in one aspect, but my question was still hypothetical. The question is assuming he can perform at an acceptable rate. Meaning at least 15 to 20 min a game I would assume. When a fan says they want to see Yao play for the Lakers, I would assume he is capable of performing at that level.

I am positive A broken down Yao hobbling on the court for 8 minutes a game, being a defensive liablity, is not what the Rockets want. I can guarentee that. Some teams will take a flyer on that, but I know the Rockets have moved on from waiting on Yao to build the team.

However, that is besides the discussion here. The argument is based on hypotheticals of him being healthy, which it is obvious that he is not.

I would NOT sign Yao today. He has nothing to offer the Rockets now. However, in January, there is no reason why the Rockets cannot do physical tests and evaluate him at that point. Im not holding any hope for the cause, but there is no question that the Rockets or any team should pass up on a healthy Yao Ming.

 

Forget the Marketing aspect of Yao Ming. Look up the term revenue sharing. Under the new CBA, it will be even more imposing on teams like the Rockets that pull more than their fair share. Les Alexander has already got his foot in the door of businesses in China, and he is obviously more interested in putting a competitive team on the floor than he is with a few Chinese banners in the Toyota Center.