September 18, 2010
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<US$16 mn, 24 mins>
Yao Ming will be paid $16 million, in USD, next year. For reference, LeBron James will be paid $14.5 million next year; Kobe Bryant will be paid $24 million (usually, NBA players’ salaries are much higher towards their end of contracts).
I never doubt its market value, especially, when considering that Yao is the most famous international Chinese athele.
But if you only get 24 mins each night from him. This is another matter… On average, it’s like 6 mins per quarter; or play 2 full quarter. A healthy Yao can give you 30-35 mins. I think, despite 1 year rest, Yao’s injury is much much serious than originally expected.
What does it mean? Yao could easily get hurt again. There are so many NBA starts that have been plagued by injuries throughout their career (Grant Hill, Elton Brand… Hardaway… etc.). Usually, they are like bothered by the same problem over and over time.
This reconfirms my earlier claim that Yao’s career peak has already gone.
