That's fine with me. Opens up salary to sign someone who isn't as fragile.

Go get Melo.

I'm not a Rockets fan, but I think this is great news for the Rockets. They were almost definitely going to resign him, but he clogs up salary and clogs up the paint. The team might be better without him, not to mention that the additional player[s] they could add without having Yao on the books

Could open the door for a trade to NO...

Houston gets:
CP3
Okafor

NO gets:
Yao
Brooks
Hill

Houston gets a better PG and a young C that will average a DD (12pts/10rebs).
NO gets 2 young, inexpensive players plus $17M in cap relief after the season. In addition they can exploit the Chinese market like Houston has for the last few years.

H-town fans, you should be celebrating this like it's 1995.

Why? He's one of the most likeable athletes not just in basketball, but all sports. He brought unprecedented positive attention to the organization and his salary is more than offset by the number of international endorsements, ticket sales, jersey sales, etc. that was spurred by his name alone.

Not only does the organization owe Yao a debt of gratitude, but so do other players. Shane Battier, Chuck Hayes, Luis Scola, among other Rockets all got shoe deals from Li-Ning or Peak. And they're just the Rockets' players. Baron Davis, Shaquille O'Neal, and even Damon Jones have been signed to Chinese shoe deals.

Yao's athletic, cultural, and monetary impact far outweighs what it costs to keep him. Yeah, he got hurt a lot, but at least he contributed in other ways while hurt. The same can't be said for Tracy McGrady. Or Steve Francis. Or whoever else was supposed to be carrying the team in the past decade.

Yao will be sorely missed by the Rockets and the NBA when he leaves, be it tomorrow or five years from now.

im going to miss the big guy, but i am almost ready for him to leave after this year. he is just too big and his joints cant handle the wear and tear. its better for the rockets organization and for yaos health to quit after this next year. he will free up 17 million bucks to get a more durable option. yao has given his all and was/is a great person and basketball player for the rockets.

Not saying his impact wasn't big, but the organization needs to move on from Yao if they want to win again. Maybe Houston can be a player for the Melo sweepstakes next summer with 17.7 million dollars off the books.

dp

[This message has been edited by The D (edited 7/27/2010 8:50p).]

quote:

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Yao likely to call it quits after this season

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quote:

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Yao may retire after season if foot not fully healed

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Yao will be sorely missed by the Rockets and the NBA when he leaves, be it tomorrow or five years from now.
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exactly.... he was a great player to watch

Geez Louise are some of you really that dumb?!

http://blogs.chron.com/nba/2010/07/translating_yao_is_not_just_ab_1.html

Feigan hits the nail on the head, as usual.

He's not going anywhere. He'll be healthy enough to play this season.

And we're not going to get Melo. If he doesn't sign the $65MM extension, he's going to try to play with Amare in New York or some other young, star player.

Yao will be missed as a person, but I really do think having the salary off the books will be much better for the organization.