Yao Ming - One of the most skilled big men ever to play the game, and someone that everyone can cheer and root for unabashedly. HELP - A class act, who can play the game very well, when healthy. Unfortunately, it is that last little caveat that is the nature of this thread. "When Healthy", you could almost label it for the entire Houston Franchise as: "Win Healthy" because when Yao is healthy and things are right the Rockets are a very good team, and have a very good squad built to assist the big fella, and win a lot of games. He clearly helps the Franchise on the floor and in the cash register, allowing a mid market team like the Rockets to compete financially with some of the other clubs whose owners are more cash positive, than Les Alexander currently is.....this is a big benefit and can not be overlooked. HURT - However, Yao Ming's situation is not all great, his lack of health (something I am not blaming the big guy for) has hurt this team, and stopped it from reaching it's zenith. Yao, for all his skills, just has not been able to stay healthy, whether it is from a bang to the knee, or simply having 310 pounds slamming down hard on his feet as he runs up and down the basketball court. His heart is willing, his mind is strong, but his body is a betrayer. This hurts the team, because relying on a guy that is always injured dooms a franchise to mediocrity at best, and that is where the Rockets are residing right now, unless he can stay healthy. HINDER - Daryl Morey has done an amazing job of gathering assets and retooling the Rockets since he took over. The team has young players, it has some good veterans, and it has more flexibility as a trading partner than any team in the league. Our assets are off the chart, you want a good young PG, we got two, you want a defensive intangible wing, we got the best, you want a young efficient scoring SG, no problem, you want a young high flying wing with upside, got that too, how about a solid steady PF, sure...or a young lottery PF with upside, heck, two of those......or maybe you would like some draft picks......well, we are stocked there too. However (there is that word again), this is where Yao is hindering the franchise, no big named player will want to come to Houston until they know whether or not he is going to be all the way back. And, honestly, even if he is healthy his history probably scares them away anyway. So, while we might pine for CP3, or Melo or another superstar, they will not be pining for Houston, and unfortunatly, it is all about Yao. So, what do you do if you are Daryl Morey? He brings in the cash, he is a great guy, and a super hard worker. To me, DM and Les are doing the only thing they can, they are going forward with the ASSUMPTION that Yao is going to make it all the way back, they have no choice. The choice of what to do with our :Help, Hurt, Hinder, Yao is tabled until next offseason. Maybe the basketball gods will shine down, and prove that nice guys do finish first....and that would add the 4th "H" HERO !!! Here is to hoping we get that 4th "H" Go Rox. DD
GIVE YAO! GET YAO TO LAKE for Bynum cuz many Chinese people Lake fans and no Bynum fans! Make Yao happy and make superstars come! Superstar want play with Morey and Bynum. No Yao=Superstar come! Double happy ending!
Too many people have put too much emotional hope in a guy who is virtually breaking down in front of everyones eyes. Yao Ming will at some point next year -- have a season ending injury. The guy is just too big and involved in a daily activity that eventually leads to the inevitable. The fact that Yao has already stated that he may never come back to form shows that he is much more realistic than most fans are. The sad thing about it is how many people are going to come the board and start crying how unfair things and how nobody saw it coming.
It seems like you could've just grouped it into two sections. Your argument under Hinder could fall under Hurt just as easily.
He's had a couple freak accidents (Chuck Hayes, big toe) and, obviously the stress fracture. He just reconstructed his entire foot, the exact same surgery Big Z underwent. So, if you subtract the freak accidents and take into account how durable Z has been since the surgery, is it really that wrong to feel optimistic?
I am going to think you meant to say "HOPEFUL"..... And no, why not feel that way? The organization has chosen that direction, they are tethered to Yao, at least through this year. That is the direction they are "Headed"..... DD
EXACTLY! People seem to think all of them were stress fractures. But no, they weren't. I think that since the Rockets believe in him, fans should too. After all, the Rockets are the ones that really know what's going on, and they're throwing millions of dollars at the team all banking on Yao's health. Just come along for the ride, fans, and stop b****ing about the next time he's going to get hurt. Just effing come along for the ride Homeboys.
If Ming signs for less, a lot less would that change things? A lot less to where a superstar and a half can be signed? Where superstars dont have to look at Ming as a main salary eatter and therefore 1st option?
I think Yao will eventually regain his form. He's too hard of a worker to stay down. Every time i see that guy play, he's getting banged around, and of course the refs turn a blind eye. Yet i hardly ever see him complain. Say what you will but ill roll with a guy who has that attitude ANY DAY!!!! And p.s. F**K the Lakers, they will never take Yao from us. Especially not for that POS Bynum, who btw is also injury prone (see knee problems, 2010 NBA Playoffs). Suggesting that is as r****ded as us asking for a Kobe for Martin trade. Not gonna happen buddy, keep dreaming.
