"Do you think this news potentially shifts an already radically altered NBA landscape?"

Short answer: Yes.

Yao Ming is one of the top twenty most important players in the NBA (arguably top ten). If a player like that goes out, it's a big deal.

What do we play for? RINGS!!!

Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.

GO LAKERS!!!!

Sorry Yao. You were too beautiful for this league.

Yao Ming you were a Class Act, hopefully you will fully
heal and go on to play several more seasons. If not the
best to you.
Larry(Mamba24)

funny, i just read that article on Yahoo about Yao possibly being out the entire next season. i wish him luck in his recovery, and hope he's able to come back next season.

but with that said, it seems like the Rockets need to start preparing for a year without Yao. i think they can have at least three different mindsets.

1. they can do nothing, and just play with what they have. resign Artest, with the hope that Yao can come back and they'll still be competitive.

2. tank next season. don't resign Artest. deal McGrady or just wait for his contract to expire. hopefully they can pull a Spurs, and get a great draft pick in 2010. then, they can bring in an awesome rookie, a healthy Yao (hopefully), and let T-Mac walk, and bring in an awesome FA. maybe someone like D-Wade, if you can't get LeBron.

3. try to field a competitive team next season. Resign Artest, and trade McGrady for a good big man, like Stoudamire. he should be a good fit, as he can play center, and when Yao returns, he can slide over to PF. (i've pretty much gave up on T-Mac, as he's way too injury prone... and getting a big man is necessary to win in the West, i believe). maybe also go after Birdman. they need as much size as they can get, as Mutombo's also done.

i say the Rockets should go with either option 1 or 2. don't resign Artest. maybe pick-up a cheap big man somewhere. (i'm sure they're kicking themselves for not drafting a big man, but three guards.) they can wait until after training camp ends, and see what guys get cut from other team's rosters. then, just try to do their best. but only chance they're making the playoffs is if T-Mac has one hell of a season.

face it. even with Artest and T-Mac, that line-up now looks like a 7th or 8th team in the West (at best), which means having to play either Lakers, Spurs or possibly Nuggets in the 1st round. no way they'd beat any of those teams in the playoffs.

Funny you should bring up Kaman.... I think this is a great spot for the Clippers to unload the dead wood in the middle with Griffin coming in - ship off Kaman (though Houston would probably want Camby's expiring deal) - in the best of all worlds, you get rid of Zach Randolph's contract, but not likley. Get back? How about McGrady if Houston is ready to blow it up? Or even better Battier. Pipe dreams, maybe, but Houston needs height and Clips need... veteran leadership who can stand up to Dunleavy. Sounds like Battier to me.

For foreign players playing on National teams is much more important. They grow in soccer-crazed nations where playing on the national team is the most important thing you can do. That's the mentality, so I don't think you can stop them from playing

I can't think one Rocket whose services are needed. Yao and the "early retirement" angle seems premature. Never heard of this 'Wojanrowski' character, and now I know why.

And, we _really_ don't want Ron-Ron on the squad - anyone who leaves his doggies languishing should not be welcome in LA.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/17029765/

Doug

Yao's a great player but he's so slow it upsets the tempo of the game. Houston would be better off without him. Like Shaq big slow centers are on their way out of the NBA. The rules have changed, now favoring quick agile leaping types, and the big slow centers are now on an island unable to bang and shove, lacking the movement necessary for today's game. It's not surprising to me that Houston played much better in the playoffs after Yao was injured.

http://tinyurl.com/nwbbqf
Kobe bryant on his Michael Jackson moment ... gotta love it ... just like Michael Jordan was the one person that pulled Kobe aside during the 98 allstars (when he was getting hated on for supposedly trying to steal #23s show) and said great game, do you ... MJ king of pop told Kobe, great player, do you ...

And on the topic of hateration ... Jackson used to get hated on so much but like Jamie Foxx said after the BET Awards last night ... The media tries to shape our opinions but stop and think that despite all the Jackson Haterade 750,000 people bought his concert tickets in 2 hours ...

A hater can't start achievement ... cuz a hater can't relate to it ... greatness recongizes greatness ... I ain't great but I admire it when I see it ... this ain't an endorsment of Kobe or Jordan or MJackson's personal life but this is an endorsement of them being great at their craft ... R.I.P. Jackson ...

As far as the Olympics go, I think we should go back to amateur players. Pro's ruined the Olympic spirit. Watching the American team getting burned by Russian officials in 1972 was far more fun than watching the "dream team" mop up on minimally talented teams. It was also an opportunity for college players who's skills may not translate to the pro league. I really miss the "old Olympics".

Jon K,

"If Kobe is TRULY about winning, the security that the Lakers will be in contention for a Championship for the next six will be far more stress relieving than the knowledge that he COULD rent that sixth penthouse in Dubai."

That's retarded ... if Lebron is truly about winning he should take a cut now ... if Wade is truly about winning he should take a cut now ... and on and on

Again nobody is saying it wouldn't be commendable for Kobe to do so ... but to say he should be critcized for taking the going market rate is ridiculous in my humble opinion

And while we're on the topic of money ... quick can anyone tell me how much the laker franchise has appreciated in value since having #8 play for it ... even if Buss is operating at a loss but his franchise is appreciating in money, that's future benefits he can reap if he ever sells the franchise or a minor stake in it ...

For all this talk about Kobe's 140mil isn't so much different from 125 mil ... why aren't y'all focussed on Buss 800 mil in assets etc blah isn't so different from 755 mil ...

If Kobe walks and Lamar walks and Odom walks ... guess who will have to listen to your cries ... not Kobe, not Odom, not Ariza but Jerry Buss ... the onus is on him as an owner to make things work ...

Wanna keep kobe for less ... make him a verbal promise of ownership ... give him an endorsement deal to market your ranches etc ... but again it is up to Buss to figure out how he can create a great product

And you know the silliest part about BKs argument ... it's the part where he goes oh if kobe takes a cut he can walk into the GMs office and go oh odom isn't pulling his weight etc etc ... do you know what kind of cancer that'll be to team chemistry? ... have y'all forgotten when kobe's competitiveness forced him to play gm/owner demanding west returns etc ... is that really what y'all wanna wish on yourselves

People need to stop being lazy (that's you BK with the media pass) and start thinking creatively ... kobe opt out clause, less money is so easy and obvious it's why the whole blog leapt on it before BK endorsed it ... but ask yourself what would we be talking about if Kobe didn't have that opt out clause? ... exaclty, we'd be talking about constructive ways for ownership and management to retain this team ... or if we must lose a piece what's a cheaper option that'd still get us the title ...

Instead we act like dummies and go if Kobe doesn't turn his opt out leverage into less money for himself he should be criticized for it ... wow i wish my daddy would do something stupid like that ... he'd definitely get the little piece of chicken

And for those pointing out Gilbert Arenas ... are you kidding me ... KG overpaid already (so much so his deal is referred to as what triggered luxury tax) so the cut was necessary ... Magic (part owner now) ... again every situation is different and to ask for a cut in itself is not a crime ... it is the added notion that one should be criticized for not taking the cut is what forces the sheriff to rant ... to demand that y'all think think and think some more

Ask more of your media ... ask more of your writers ... simply endorsing the easy way out don't make it right ... now if BK had numbers showing why BUSS really ain't balling like that etc etc etc before jumping on Kobe's back ... it might be a different convo ... Cuz then he'd have proven that despites management's responsibility, there's nothing feasible they can do, thus the onus lies with kobe to come save the day yet again ...

anywho i think i've ranted enough on this topic ... enough so that i'm confident BK will at least think twice before postiong kobe haterade on here so quickly though I trust it won't let him stop him ... which is ok cuz the mamba faithful will always be around to police y'all

With that I'll end with a shout out to mud for his vote of confidence ... much appreciated dawg ...

"good job AK/BK. ya stirred it up good. it's pretty tacky though, and while i agree that it MAY be in Kobe's interest to offer to take less money, i also disagree that Kobe SHOULD do that. i also disagree with not being able to take in new info and admit the error. "

24 + 16 + [1]7 = The Purple Tinted Golden Age

WELCOME TO THE NEW ECONOMY

Lakers fans need to wake up and understand that it is a new day when it comes to signing other team’s free agents and trading players with expiring contracts like Adam Morrison. Savvy financial moves to save money as we saw during the draft will necessarily be the only roster moves we can afford to make if we are to keep this team together.

So say goodbye to signing a free agent with our MLE or trading Adam Morrison and his valuable expiring contract for another player or players. Using our MLE to sign a player for $5.5M would have the Lakers paying an additional $11M in salary and luxury taxes. Similarly, trading Ammo and his valuable expiring contract for another player rather than allowing his contract to expire would cost also us $11M in salary and luxury taxes.

Time to realize that we cannot have our cake and eat it too, meaning we cannot afford to sign Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza, and Shannon Brown to new contracts AND also sign another team’s free agent and/or trade Ammo rather than just letting his contract expire. Since we have already chosen to spend the money to keep the team intact, we need to stop all the ridiculous trades and free agent signings and be happy with the team we have.

We are the freakin’ LA Lakers and 2009 NBA Champions. We ACT, not REACT.
All we need to do is bring back our existing roster and we’ll be far better than last year.
If you want to talk other team’s free agents or trade prospects, login to a Clippers blog. Welcome to the new economy – where the Lakers are king of the hill.

Tom

What people, especially the media, fails to recognize that Yao is FORCED...or at least HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to play for his national team...in fact the only reason they let him out of China in the first place was because Houston agreed to let Yao play for the national team. Yao is like a commodity to them, and its a socialist gov and we've already went through that. Yao's situation is Highly different than other athletes who play for their national team.

BK, I think you have to see the international players at a different cultural lens. The other countries are extremely tied to their culture heritiage and therefore tons of pride. And then when they leave their country to play in the NBA they feel like ambassadors to the game from their countries and will always come back to represent where they came from. the US isnt their home even, does Pau even have a long-term residence here?

I think its a 'American" view on life if you think that these athletes shouldnt be playing for their country. If NBA teams have a problem with this, then they should write it into contracts. If fans have a problem they are ignorant to the fact one's loyalty to their country is higher than loyalty to a person's city of employment. You want to blame the high salaries put into risk, blame the GM who signs them not the player.

And back to Yao, if he doesnt ever win an NBA title, last summer was his shining moment, carrying the Olympic flag at the Games, and he had to play on that basketball team that was scheduled against the US. Yao doesnt agree with the government's policies, but he loves his people so he is out there for him. I admired Yao for obviously shouldering so much pain and burden in the Olympic spirit.

As for the guys like Sasha, DJ, they are fringe players and should play on their national team to get better and improve. I think its a great idea for Sasha to get some cajones playing back in Europe and in important games so that they can break him and then give him confidence. As for DJ he needs all the practice and its nice that one of two players from Belguim would go back and play for their team.

As for Pau he is part of the Spanish athlete culture that has Rafa Nadal, Fernando Torres (soccer), La Liga class A soccer, and pride for sports...he's like the Kobe of Spain how's he not going to play?

And for Kobe...didnt he skip out on some chances to play for Team USA before hand? It was simply their ego that seemed to motivate them to get to the Olympics (people telling them they cant win) and EVENTUALLY it turned into pride for the country, but you know it was about ego.

Taliq,

Great takes as usual.

Trying to get a HIC (hater in the closet) to admit his haterade is a difficult task. If the HIC is so narrow-minded that he can't (or won't) even accept the simple concept that money, (like everything else in life) is relative, it becomes an impossible task.

What sucks is the Chinese players that come over to play in the NBA are only allowed to come over if they play for their national team in the summer. That's why Yao was forced to play over in China summer after summer even though one could tell he really needed the rest during the offseason. Yao's just too nice of a guy to say no. He played in the Olympics even though he wasn't fully healed because to the Chinese people him playing means everything. I feel really bad for him.

Had China not made him play for the Chinese team year after year, and instead let him rest and strengthen up in the offseason he could be an EVEN better center.

Except they didn't allow that. They forced him (and all the other Chinese players in the NBA) to play for their national team every summer. Get better Yao.

Is there any evidence Yao's injury came from the Olympics? I honestly am ignorant on how he got hurt.

Players play in the Olympics because:

1) It is great personal marketing (I think it really helped Kobe)

2) The NBA likes it for marketing their product

3) It is a great experience overall and also a great basketball experience to play with the best

4) Playing ball is fun

5) Patriotism

I dont mind my guys doing it once, but honestly I thought Pau and Kobe looked a little worn out at times in the playoffs and hoped they would both drop international ball. It's a young man's game, playing year round like that.

I wouldn't stand in the way of anyone who wants to do it, it must be a great experience. But Kobe please stop now - you won your medal.

dave m, there are no young, hungry Centers available and if Yao is really going to be out all next year PLUS he will be trying to come back at 31-32 years old the year after that with all his previous medical problems... that is what Mike T would call "fool's gold"...

Houston has to blow it up if they really believe Yao is going to be out all next year. What do you need Shane Battier or Artest or Scola for if you don't really want to make the playoffs? (so you can get a good draft pick) Tracy McGrady is one layup away from being out for the season every time he has the ball, you can't build around someone like that. If I were Houston, I'd sit on McGrady's contract and let it expire, dump most of the vets - they can't get rid of Cook yet... and give some young guys some run and see who blossoms. Then, BAM! McGrady comes off the books, they can sign a free agent, plus they would have a high draft pick from a lost season, and the next year Ming's contract comes off the books and they pick up another major piece.

If Aaron Brooks and Von Wafer turn out to be viable players, and one of their draft picks hits, then they can add in whoever they get in trade and have a fairly decent team in 2-3 years, maybe make a playoff run and go from there, otherwise they would just be treading water waiting to collapse if they sit around and wait for Yao and McGrady to actually be healthy enough to play.

JustaLakerFan,

"Using a little hindsight, what would the Rockets be willing to bid for Bynum for his services if he did not sign his extension?"

I'm guessing less than half his current contract ... say what you may but the jury is still out on Bynum's knees and Houston would be the last team willing to gamble on yet another player's health

And since I'm still a lil all worked up about my finals mvp not getting love ... let me say this is yet another reason to salute the dude ... for all the beating and injury he takes, he works 2ce as hard to recupperate from them via icing etc even if it means staying up all night ... like that type of dedication really is maniacal ...

idk wat else to say yo ... I love #24 ... I love how hard he works and how much he's given to this team ... I love his teammates for being willing to follow his lead ... I love PJ for letting them find their way (tho i got no love 4 d triangle) ... I love the owner that held unto Kobe tight showing he understood how rare a commodity he is ... etc etc etc ... and oh I love being champions again

JBuss get it done ... bring 'em all back ... they'll do u proud ... matter of fact setup a blog on lakers.com yo ... maybe hire the popular k brothers ... and we'll get site traffic on there, get u some internet revenue ya dig ... w/e it takes yo ... bring em all back ... then lets go teach the vince carters and richard jeffersons and whomever else the opposition thinks will make a difference a lesson they won't soon forget

24 + 16 + 1[7] = The Purple Tinted Golden Age

Posted by: Taliq | June 29, 2009 at 01:48 PM

===================
Taliq,

It really is a hyphothetical thought but just to play, I think he would get at least if not more than his current contract.

This is based on his age and upside potential in him. Freak accidents don't necessarily make you injury prone.

He is willing to work his butt off all off season and during season when injured so he is no slouch.

Now if you think defending Rockets or any team not willing to throw bucks at a player just look around the league to see who makes what for their worth.

Even Lakers guilty of this in Lukes contract and he is definitely injury prone.

I too share your opinion on Kobe regarding him as a great player and love him and his teamates as ell. Not too crazy about PJ. though.

But I agree keep this team together!!!

I'm sure the Olympics didn't help him any, but you get the feeling poor Yao would have gotten injured if he was playing with cuddly puppies all summer long. The man just has a body that is too much for his feet to handle. It's a shame. He's a gentle giant who can be an absolute nightmare to defend. Ultimately, he's good for basketball and good for the NBA.

As far as NBA guys playing in the Olympics is concerned, I don't it much because I figure they're working out, running and playing all summer anyway. BUT, I can see how the experience could drain a player when you factor in the level of intensity of the scrimmages and games, as well as the travel schedules and the requisite emotional investment.

For Pau and Kobe, I'd love to see them take a break from international competition for the sake of the Lakers, but at the same time, I'm proud that the best players on the two best teams in the world are both Lakers and it's a thrill to watch them play.

Ultimately, each player needs to decide whether they're up for it - emotionally, physically, mentally - and have the strength to say no if need be, just as Bynum wisely did in turning down an invitation to the USA Basketball national team minicamp in order to rehab his knee. But for selfish reasons, I want to see all the best suit up for their countries.

Ok, I'm reading a lot about China forcing his players in their national team and people are relating that to their governement. I'm not saying they're not force to play, I don't know if it's true but there are a lot of countries with laws that don't allow players to skip games for their country. Spain it's one of them, you as a player have the obligation to play if you're selected and you're not injured.
So for that people saying Pau must drop internatinal games, the spanish federation can force him to do it.
That's not gonna happen because they love Pau and they understand his situation but they can do it.
In other way, that's obviously a cultural thing, it's never been one spanish player who has said I'm not gonna play (maybe Pau will be the first because he has to say this week if he will play the EuroChampionship) because that's sort of unpatriotism.

Doug,

You should read the details how Artest's dogs had trouble (travel, one dog ate all the food) and what he did to make up for it afterward.

Then you can make a fair judgment of the guy.

Or not, just decide you don't like him and any partial story is good for your purposes. That's probably easier.

Ideally, we don't even have to consider trying to acquire Artest because we get all of our guys.

I'll have to agree with some of the other posters -- Yao Ming is definitely a class act and hopefully the poor guy will heal up and enjoy more seasons.

Honestly, I'd rather him and all the other injured players from competing teams be healthy. It's that much more exciting and all the more satisfying when the Lakers crush them.

I just hope Gasol doesn't hurt him self with National play. Vujacic? That machine has BEEN broken.

Lakers This Decade: 00 01 02 09

Here's hoping for a Repeat!

Charlie V hits the market...This has to take some of the attention away from our guys..Not a lot but a little at least..

What are the Bucks doing?....Blowing it up from the inside out....

The Knicks have Lee and Nate hanging by a thread..

The Suns have handled Amare like a dirty hand towel...
They got burned by the warriors it seems...good...
The 76ers drafted a point guard..Miller time?.
The Magic are going to loose Turk and Lee...can Vince replace both?...I dont think so..
Yao Ming..Tracy Mcinjured..
The NBA is in Panic Mode..

not sure how many of you guys read the Wall Street Journal. Just an FYI. There was a very nice full article on Kobe and his popularity and marketing efforts in China...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204556804574258222289862830.html

Sorry... haven't had time to learn how to use tiniurl...

Enjoy...

Jon K,
"Exhedlovr" ?? Turkoglu is a decent player, but I never liked him THAT much!!