Serious Discussion About Yao's Future

[PocketRockets]

I think the team right now has enough "shooters" to compliment Yao and take us deep into the playoffs. This is probably why when we lose to crappy teams there's sooo much ranting. After seeing bynum get hurt, if we stay like we are now....going to the NBA finals is very plausible.

DEFENSA!!

[CuttingEdge]

Bynum hurt is very bad for LA indeed. Bynum is a better defensive force to use against Yao. I know we smell blood on LA's part, its time to make our defense with Tracy, Ron, Shane, Rafer, and Ming.. Don't forget Von, Luis, Carl, Chuck, Brent, Aaron... We can take the Lakers and make em eat some.... Zeke is here as well.. We should break through to the Finals if we're healthy.

[stockmarketgod]

Yao is going no where... you should start a thread about the future of Tmac and his expiring contract...

and 2010 sweepstakes..

hard to see Tmac still here... especially if we take another first round exit...

[moofs]

He might be, but not for his contract. As far as the 2010 thing goes, see the Morey interview thread.

[dartherus]

as much as some of you hate to admit, Yao will probably never get past the 1st round in houston. Either him or tmac has to go this season, this organization is incredibly stupid for relying on the tmac Yao combo.

I was severely bashed for saying this about one year ago....

But it was OBVIOUS....you can't have BOTH SUPERSTARS injury prone, you can't have both lacking leadership or killer instinct, no matter how much talent of physical advantage they have....

Now TMac value has plummeted, when very good players could be gotten in return back then...What were such TMac advocates were thinking back then?

I say T-Mac needs to go, Morey needs to do w.e for a quality PG

Hinrich is the most suitable option, he's overpaid yes, and he's become a role player after the arrival of Rose, but he'd be a HUGE improvement over Alston, not regarding stats, but regarding Basketball IQ, the most needed stuff for a PG....

perhaps FO could try some kind of deal, even a 3-way deal, to get rid of TMac, and getting Hinrich in the same trade....Hinrich is far underrated now, and it's likely he'd blossom again in a team like Houston.

[T-Wack]

To expect him to play another 8-10 years is absolutely insane. He'll continue his good play this season, and probably carry it over into the next. I'm guessing he'll suffer another crippling injury at some point next year, though, and fall off significantly. I'll give him about 4 more years, but most will probably be filled with mediocrity.

And no, I'm not "wishing" this on him. When you're that big, and are subject to the amount of wear and tear that he is, it's only a matter of time before something gives.