[New York Times] Yao's Uncertain Future
Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by dschwab, Apr 20, 2011.
rick adelman
rockets.com
JOANNE C. GERSTNER, Off the Dribble Blog, 4/20/11, http://offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/yaos-uncertain-future/
Change seems to be the constant in Yao Ming's life. Another serious left foot injury derailed his season, the Rockets missed the playoffs for a second year running, he's facing free agency this summer, and now, Rockets Coach Rick Adelman will no longer be on the sidelines.
Yao, who was reached in China by Houston TV station Fox 26, said he regretted Adelman parting ways with the Rockets.
Adelman split with the Rockets Monday, after being unable to come to new contract terms with the team.
"I was sad a good coach is leaving, not come back for next season," Yao told the station. "In the last four years under Rick (as) coach, the Rockets really, really had some good times."
Yao, who is in recovery from reconstructive surgery on his left foot in December, is still on crutches and wears a walking boot cast.
He'd like to return to the Rockets, if possible. He said he feels comfortable with the only N.B.A. team he's ever played for. The Rockets drafted Yao as the No. 1 pick in the 2002 draft.
"I like it here. I'm used to playing here," Yao said an an interview on HoustonRockets.com. "I'm comfortable, really, really comfortable to play here and I have my family here. I'm not really planning to leave."
"Right now it's more focused on my injury and how I'm going to come back. About the future, I think it all depends on this foot."
Despite hobbling around, Yao is keeping busy in China. He made an appearance at the Shanghai Auto Show Tuesday, signing autographs at the BMW booth.
He remains hopeful he can return to play basketball next season and beyond.
"That's the direction," Yao told HoustonRockets.com
"I believe if it's a possibility that I can't come back and play, then I would tell myself that I already did everything I can."
#1 dschwab, Apr 20, 2011
danoman Contributing Member
Yao would be nice in the playoffs next season, IF we can make them.
#2 danoman, Apr 20, 2011
coachbadlee Member
I am certain that Yao should not return.
#3 coachbadlee, Apr 20, 2011
thetatomatis Member
I am certain that Yao should not return too. At least to the Rockets. He may find a good role as a limited minutes player for a Championship type team like Shaq for the rest of his career now.
#4 thetatomatis, Apr 20, 2011
Hakeemtheking Member
danoman said: ↑
You can also dream about the lottery. That's also nice.
Dude played a grand total of 5 games in the last 2 seasons and people are mentioning his name and playoffs together.
#5 Hakeemtheking, Apr 20, 2011
thadeus Contributing Member
I am certain that Yao SHOULD and WILL return.
#6 thadeus, Apr 20, 2011
RocketRaccoon Contributing Member
I'm as certain as thadeus that Yao SHOULD and WILL return.
#7 RocketRaccoon, Apr 20, 2011
crash5179 Contributing Member
Im certain as RocketRacoon that Yao should and will return
#8 crash5179, Apr 20, 2011
New Generation Member
According to my physics teacher, a person of Yao Ming's size has too much torque on his body for his ankles to handle, therefore preventing him from efficiently playing once injured.
I would still like him to play though.
#9 New Generation, Apr 20, 2011
LFE171 Member
Just sign him for 2 years and see how it falls. It's not like we're winning anything next year. Worst case scenario is best for our future through tanking. Best case scenario, we make the 8th seed or finish one game better than this season and get to see a recovering Yao on the floor again.
Championship window is all but shut. Let's just enjoy what our youngin's + a recovering Yao can do.
#10 LFE171, Apr 20, 2011
LandryMegaBeast Member
im glad that yao wants to stay here although i do think he wont see much court time on any team.
i say sign him for less money for the next couple of years and let him continue to rehabilitate. Its not like we're going to be in the playoffs anytime soon.
there is a part of me that says "we're rebuilding, so yao has to go" but i dont want to see him rotting away on some crappy team somewhere. hes given alot to our franchise and if he wants to play again, i want it to be with the rockets.
#11 LandryMegaBeast, Apr 20, 2011
Big MAK Member
I love Yao (not in a gay way), but we need to look past him, obviously. A large part of us were banking on his return last season, which didn't happen. I dont think it will ever happen. We just have to plan our future without him and if by some grace of God he returns AND can play more than 20mpg, we can then start a strategy w him.
#12 Big MAK, Apr 20, 2011
thething Contributing Member
Sign him for cheap, stick him on the bench, and hope he recovers. It's worth a roster spot.
#13 thething, Apr 20, 2011
glynch Contributing Member
]I am certain that Yao WILL return.
I remain slightly unsure if he should return.
However, I am greatly uncertain if he can last when he returns.
#14 glynch, Apr 20, 2011
Rashmon Contributing Member
If I had to put money on any individual athlete having the drive and will to return, it would be Yao.
Yao should return.
#15 Rashmon, Apr 20, 2011
HombreDeHierro Member
New Generation said: ↑
Yao only has a 18 size foot while shaq's is 23. More force/area
#16 HombreDeHierro, Apr 20, 2011
chonox Member
HombreDeHierro said: ↑
Shaq weighed alot more than Yao and could pull off 360 dunks in his day. Shaq is a genetic freak of nature with both crazy size/power and athleticism that you will encounter once every <insert big number> years.
#17 chonox, Apr 20, 2011
Rock It Member
Yao needs to sit out next season and fully heal and then show us he is ready. this half year junk rehab is not going heal him enough. to play at a consistent level.
#18 Rock It, Apr 20, 2011
glynch said: ↑
thats what im concerned about too.
if we're going to resign him, i say 2 years and very little money.
after so many seasons ended due to injury hes no longer the player he was and i think if he rushes into it, he could end up injuring himself again and put us in this same position next year, and the year after.
vince Member
Oh I think that the Return of Yao is going to be great.
The only way the return of Yao hinders the team, is if he goes all out for the money. No way he should get massive mula "money". I think it should be more of a 1 year trial. See how he can come back.
Let's not get perturbed here, there have been several players who've been derailed by injury for 4 or 5 years, and they come back successfully. Yao is a smart player with a high IQ; a healthy Yao WILL help the Rockets in whatever manner he comes, be it a backup or a 25 minute starter.
If he passes the season with flying colors, then give him a contract based on his performance. But I hope that Yao understands the situation and doesn't hold the Rockets hostage.
#20 vince, Apr 21, 2011