I understand this position entirely. But to me, as a Houston-based Rockets fan, team success is my measuring stick. If I were older and had been tuned in for the Calvin and Moses decisions I'd probably have strong opinions on those as well. If Steve Francis had stayed here and ended up scoring tons of points and having a career ending injury, I probably wouldn't be thrilled with retiring his number either. Right now all I can think is that I won't look at Yao's jersey hanging from the rafters and have it evoke fond memories. If it will make a bunch of Chinese fans happy, great. That just doesn't motivate me so much.
There is a lot of irony in someone defending Yao so ardently and brushing off a Clutch City hero. There is also irony in someone pointing these facts out to Tinman, who hates TMac for his flaws as well. Well, thanks for the entertainment.
I don't hate Tmac, he just doesn't deserve to be the 25million$/year sympathetic character. There's no sympathy for a guy who doesn't want to be here. Yao, started and ended as a Rocket. Maxwell. he's in our hearts (just the ones who know what Clutch City was )
I'm not comprehending this. Why is it ironic to like Yao and at the same time dislike someone who quit on the team in the playoffs? Perhaps I just dislike quitters? Dislike those who act like spoiled little kid with no emotional control who quit and cared about himself over the team who quit? Is there something wrong with not supporting a quitter? You can hero worship whoever you want. I just like to not worship quitters.
Here is why http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/letters__yao_the_housn_ro_2011_07_21.html When you got the staff writing letters about his work ethic, it's almost guaranteed, his work ethic alone represents the Houston Rockets.
It will make more than just Chinese fans happy. You honestly won't have fond memories of Yao when you see his jersey hanging from the rafters? Name me one dude that's worked harder for or gave as much to this team in the past ten years. My fondest memory of Yao will always be stopping in the tunnel with a broken foot and saying, "No, I want to beat the Lakers." The dude was all-hustle, all-heart, and all-Rocket. He deserves to have his number retired.
That's exactly the type of memory that I'm talking about. To me, it's more bitter than sweet. To be clear, if he has his number retired it won't hurt me. If Les and teammates says he deserves it, he deserves it. I'm just stating why I won't mind either way - I fear the same arguments about being all-hustle, all-heart, all-Rocket could be made for Chuck Hayes up to this point.
Mostly I'm wondering why you have such a propensity for deflecting criticism from Yao. Your points are all tangential. I honestly don't care to defend Max's bad character. I don't worship any athletes, and no one is above the team - I just value winning. My life and state of mind are literally affected by the Rockets success. Players personal lives, not so much. I'll remember Yao as being an exemplary human being, and an extremely frustrating player with huge potential and little team success. I know my opinion isn't popular. Enjoy your rep for opposing me.
Of course his injury history is frustrating, but he didn't have a frame that could support the stress placed on it. By stress, I don't mean an NBA season, I mean playing an NBA season and then being required to play for China in the offseason. That's an unrealistic expectation to place on anybody, but it didn't stop him from giving his all every time he stepped on the court. His body broke down eventually, like it had to. No athlete can perform year-round, they need to rest. Because he refused to disappoint anybody, he ended up disappointing certain fans. I'm not one of them, and I will always respect Yao's contributions to the game.
He never disappointed me as a result of his own actions or choices. Rather, fate disappointed me. It's a tragedy. He contributed to the game, no doubt. That's why I endorse Yao getting into the Hall of Fame as a contributor, for what it's worth.
also Dr J with the Sixers. He started his career with the ABA though before they merged with the Nba.
are you serious? Calvin Murphy...calling out tinman on this, for responding twice and not mentioning an obvious Rocket. pretty much every Celtic, who started as one...like 8 of them or more. Jerry West...Isiah/Dumars, Robinson, Stockton, Duncan will; Ginobili will. Bill Bradley ...and that's just off the top of my head.
