What are the odds you believe Yao will sign a contract extension with Rockets in October? I used to believe that Yao would be a Rocket for life, but I am not sure now. 1. The current Rockets team plays completely around T-Mac. In the Spurs game, T-Mac shot 28 FG and Yao shot 8 FG. Yao's role has been reduced to a decoy in the offense and a big body in defense. Rockets are winning. Fans are happy. JVG saved his job. But is Yao Happy? Is Team Yao happy? Tyson Chandler can fill that role at a much better price and he is even more athletic. 2. In JVG’s system, Yao has been asked to play like Shaq only in the low-block. Obviously Yao has done an aweful job in filing that role. Obviously he is no where as strong as Shaq. No other big man in the league plays like Shaq, like KG/ Duncan/ Amare/J O'Neal/ Dirk/ Webber. All of them are very versatile. Yao USED TO BE very versatile in his rookie year. He could hit a 20 feet jumper with ease. He could set up play in the high post/elbow, making mind-blowing passes. I even remember Yao drove from corner all the way to the basket for a layup. Versatility makes defender honest and makes offensive player much harder to guard. IMO, Yao is misused completely by JVG and I don't see any sign of changes. Right now, Yao is often rendered useless when he is mugged by defenders in the paint and refs don't call anything. 3. Loyalty. I used to believe loyalty would be the only deciding factor for Yao to be a Rocket for life. But to get loyalty in return, you have to give loyalty in the first place. I am sure Yao has completely understood that NBA is all business by now. The only player still on the Rockets team when Yao joined in Maurice Taylor, but he may not last another month. Yao knows he could achieve much more in a better system. He knows Rockets would never trade him because of his marketability, even he is ineffective in JVG’s system. But is it best for his interest? Remember Yao’s ultimate goal is to win an Olympic medal in 2008. He need to be in an effective system to develop. 4. Chemistry. From the on-court expression, I felt JVG has been disgusted by Yao's poor play. T-Mac and Sura too. I am sure Yao is even disgusted by his own play. He seems to just settle for whatever JVG is telling him to do on the court. By the time Yao get fed up, it may already be too late.
Probably not: the dudes gotta worry about himself and where his career is headed in the Rockets Organization.
Agree with your point about loyalty. I don't think Yao has any illusions left. The NBA is an entertainment business masquerading as a sport league. Everyone for himself, that's the American way. He should demand a sign and trade to San Antonio, the best team for his development. Rasho is the weakest link in SA's lineup. With Duncan and Yao Ming, the new Twin Towers, the Spurs will dominate the paint. He does not need a max contract to prosper. When he plays well, his endorsement contracts will be far more lucrative than his basketball income.
Yup, nearly everyone in this thread is proof. But actually, I don't think Yao will go anywhere. I'm praying JVG is gone at the end of the season and we bring in a coach (Phil Jackson, Del Harris) that knows how to utilize Yao and McGrady together. JVG is sucking at it. Plus the fans will go back to loving Yao as soon as he begins playing as he should. Even now more fans love Yao being here than idiots that want him traded. I really duno why this board seems to be filled with more who want him gone. I guess a 3rd year center performing like Yao has is not up to their Hakeem/Shaq/Duncan expectations? I duno. But luckily the ones that want him gone are not running the Rockets.
The Rockets without Yao Ming are the 2003-04 Orlando Magic. Yes, he will receive an extension for the max.
I way would we do this again? Esp. to SA? Yes, he'll sign. I'm sorry but Yao's play is all on him, no one else. He need to have a desire to improve and to work through this tough stretch.
There is no loyalty in sports world as the still naive Yao gradually begins to realize. As such, he and his team will probably look for the best opportunity there that might be a better fit for him to excel and also win a big prize.
I think Les would strangle CD with a garden hose if he did this deal to a conference rival esp one of the caliber of the spurs Rocket RIver
Of course, He has desire to improve himself, he was improving his number year by year, but you can't teach big, no matter what he couldn't turn into himself another mutombo, Yao is Yao, Yao's strength is his great offence skills, if the team couldn't use his strength and force him play the role which he wasn't good at, Yao won't be successful whatsoever, if the rockets won't build team around him next season, i don't see any reason he will resign his extension.