Rockets lock up Yao Ming to 2011 BEIJING, Aug 31. (Xinhuanet by Sportswriter Wang Jingyu) -- The Houston Rockets have locked up three-time all-star center Yao Ming to 2011, according to Team Yao leader Eric Zhang. "Yao Ming has signed a five-year extension contract with the Rockets today," Zhang told Xinhua on Wednesday. The contract extension is worth around 76 million US dollars with Yao having an ability to opt out after the fourth year, according to Zhang. Yao, who is gearing up with the Chinese national team for the Asian Championship and World Championship qualifying tournament slated for Qatar in the next month, will also be able to continue playing for his country in the following summers. "Now that the contract is done, Yao can concentrate on the gamein the next season," Zhang said. Entering the NBA as the 2002 top draft pick, Yao averaged 16.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks for the Rockets in the last three seasons. A strong faith in the franchise that also included another superstar Tracy Mcgrady ironed Yao's determination to stay at Houston. "Yao has a dream of winning the NBA finals at least once, and he believed to stay at Houston he would have a better chance than moving to another team after the next season," Zhang said. "He also believed the Rockets can help him develop his full potential in the sport and make him a really good basketball player." "He is very happy in Houston," Zhang added. "He likes the city,the team and his teammates." The Rockets have been rebuilt around Yao and Mcgrady, with whomthe team had signed a contract extension that could keep him through the 2009-2010 season. They have also acquired power forward Stromile Swift and Derek Anderson and re-signed Ryan Bowen and Barry this summer. Enditem http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-08/...ent_3427665.htm
http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Houston_Ro...150162-822.html so we have our core guys of Yao, Stromile and TMac locked up for the next 5 years...we have the contracts of Barry, Ward, Norris, and Baker all expiring next season...we'll have Deke, and likely Derek Anderson for the next 2 years...and we've got a young gun in Luther Head who'll be ready to contribute consistently once the guard wave of Sura, James, and Anderson dries up... A+ offseason for my Houston Rockets this year ...
This is good for the Rockets, Yao is great now and in 5 years with Ewing telling him how to play tough he can really be something for the Rockets.
This is great for the Houston Rockets. I mean Yao is a great center with loads of potential. The Rockets have a good future and are def a playoff team in the next 3-5 years with Yao and TMac on their roster.
yeah, yao has gained so much improvement from last year.. imagine how much improved he will be in 5 =)
