[SI.com] Rockets Considering Extending Yao If Price/Length Right

You've got to consider how much of this talk is just face-saving stuff to not offend Yao, a loyalist if there ever was one and they're secretly hoping (as I'm openly hoping) he sees that he's done and retires, rather than Favre-ing his way through another few pointless seasons.

 

I didn't see the link to the article posted so here it is:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/chris_mannix/12/21/yao.ming.rockets/index.html

Good read.

 

I understand what you're trying to say, but that so called worldwide notoriety does nothing to help the rockets win anything. Cool, shane can get mobbed in china or japan like he's lebron. Hayes is like the beattles in indonesia. What does that have to do with winning rings and games? Yao is an ambassodor for the nba preiod because he opened the door to china, but that doesn't help the rockets at all. Jordan was once the 2nd most recognizeable person in the world behind the president, but do you think he was rated that high because of the brand or the rings. He made nike and nike made him, but if he weren't winning rings or making some of the epic plays in history, people around theworld wouldn't care. People around the world see yao as a giant,almost like a freak show who can play when he is healthy, but if he can't play, no one cares. If all it took were for him to be from china and everything is great, Yi wouldn't get traded as much as he is. Yao was a good player and the fact he was international made it even better, but holding on because of what he was vs what he is doesn't add up.

 

I don't think we see this any differently, I was just playing devils advocate to your point. I look at what they say as similar to how the astros tried giving clemens a liason position with the org. i think that is what they really want with yao - to retire and take a liason role.

 

i am absolutely fine, if not great, with that idea. love it. do it.

 

Yao should just retire for right now. If he feel up to it and his families support him, he can rehab by himself for 1 year. And if everything goes well, and he is healthy and dominating in China. I am sure a lot of teams will love to have him on their rosters. Screw the minimum!!!!