I'll wait a week to hear the final prognosis before we decide if we want to stop building around him. But after his contract is up, unless by some grace of God he comes back this season and next, doesnt get injured, and puts up 20 and 10, I say let him walk and head in a different direction. If he can come back anytime this season, then we still must build around him. That meaning a backup center who can play as a starter while Yao is out and a sg in place of tracy.
That's how we know we are in trouble with Yao. We are trying to figure out how to keep our franchise player off the court. Play him every other night? Play him 25 minutes a night? We can't win with a guy like that. I happen to think the core the Rockets have right now is close to contending (minus Yao). The summer has just started so let's give Morey some time. Judging by what he has done in the past it would not be surprising if he turned Tmac's contract into a very, very good player or two by the end of the summer. Get a near all star caliber wing player and a serviceable 7 footer, add that to the team that took LA to seven games and this team will be in business. If Yao comes back next season that would be great. Move whoever is starting at Center to backup and now the team is loaded. If he does not come back the team is still good enough to beat anyone with a little luck.
I don't think we are that close to contending. We took the Lakers to 7 games, true, but don't let that be the measure. Boston will be back in full force next year. And the Lakers will have had another year to gel. Throw in a healthy San Antonio and upgraded Orlando, and it might be tough with our team currently. The worst scenario for us, and unfortuantely a very likely one is a first round exit. Which is why we should do nothing until we know what Yao's status is.
exactly. we're talking about franchise players and max dollars..and in the next sentence talking about how we can play him LESS.
If playing him less means he will be healthy the whole season and playoffs, why wouldn't you do it for the remainder of his contract?
for the remainder of his contract, i would. i agree with you there. you and i agree more than you think....because i follow your next step which says, "let him walk."
Yep, I agree. Just a thought, and I know this really depends on the next 2 years, but what does everyone think will happen to Yao when he becomes a FA? If he keeps reminaing injury prone (chances are very good), who is going to want to take him? You cant have him be your starting center without a decent backup, because as we know, if/when he goes down, you're screwed. Will some teams want him as a backup? Would he stay in the NBA if he was a backup?
Shouldn't play him over certain minutes, keep him to a certain number of games, don't play him on back to backs, get a good backup behind him in case he goes down again... Seems like we have our very own mogwai...
Your right we are not that close to contending, but I don’t think we can "do nothing until we know what Yao's status is." Best possible and least likely scenario is to move Tracy and whoever to get Amare or Bosh and resign Artest. We should go after Gortat no matter what happens with the Amare and Bosh pipe dreams, we need more size with or without Yao and Gortat seems athletic enough. If we cant move Tracy for those guys than keep him and don't bother resigning Artest. For no other reason we need to get more up tempo and the ball always stops in his hands. Maybe Tracy comes back and can play a little, but no matter what don’t resign him when his deal is done. No matter the outcome with Yao’s foot, he can no longer be what we build our team around. If he is still injury prone? Come on IF? He be with the Rockets untill he retires for good and for bad, in sickness and in health.. bla bla bla
You have to know Yao's status before you set your plans into motion. If he can play next year moves must be made to keep this team floating and remain competitive. If he can't play next year then i'm all for the all-out rebuilding phase. Either way, knowing Yao's status going into next year is critical.
