In light of Yao’s most recent injury,** I think it would be very prudent to briefly discuss the value of the back-up center position. Not “value” as in: “It sure is nice to have one.” Rather, value in terms of the going rate to employ one who can contribute to a winning team.
Not only is this interesting because the Rockets’ back-up center, Brad Miller or Jordan Hill, just got promoted, but also because of Yao Ming’s probable fate as a back-up center (or sit-down comedian) in the future. It is never too early to get excited about the next off season.
A starting center in the NBA*** makes anywhere between $918,000 (DeJuan Blair of the Spurs) and $17,686,000 (Yao) for the 2010-11 season. The average of all 30 starting center’s salaries is $7,385,140. However, because of the relative extremes on either edge of the salary range, I should note that the median salary for starting centers is $6,213,458. The Spurs are employing the cheapest starter by almost half the salary of the second cheapest. Yao Ming and Dwight Howard are the highest paid by over $4 million and $3 million, respectively.
I am trying to restrain myself from writing about DeJuan Blair’s lack of an ACL in each knee…not nearly as much irony as that time the US Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 80,000 lapel buttons promoting “Toy Safety” because the buttons: a) had sharp edges, b) used lead paint, and c) had parts that could break off and be swallowed…but worth mentioning.
So Yao makes a lot of money, even in comparison to other starting centers, who in turn make a lot of money compared to me. I just hope that they each have that special someone (or two or three or four someones) stashed in different cities to shower with gifts because: “Presents are the best way to show someone you care. It is like this tangible thing that you can point to and say, ‘Hey man, I love you this many dollars worth.’”
The Rockets’ intended back-up centers, Brad Miller and Jordan Hill, will make $4,400,000 and $2,669,520, respectively. The 30 second-string centers average $3,368,216, or 45% of the salary of those who tip-off. The median was found to be at about the half mark as well, $3,287,320. So, although the Rockets are paying a premium at starting center this season, backup center is a potential area of cost efficiency. Jordan Hill is close enough to serviceable already, and he is still bursting with defensive intensity and potential. Coupled with the fact that he has more career left in him than Miller, does it not make sense to find out just how much the Rockets have with him? At the very least he can demonstrate trade value.
Hill’s value jumps off the page when his statistics are extrapolated over 40 minutes from the 18.7 he actually averages. On a 40 minute per game basis, Hill would average 12.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and a startling 3.5 blocks – 9th in the league per 40 minutes. There is plenty of room for improvement, especially considering Hill was a more efficient scorer and better rebounder for the Rockets last season. Hill would probably never see 40 minutes, at least on a regular basis, but he is finding ways to contribute at a cost below the average wage. It is worth wondering, too, how many rebounds are being taken away by a certain Argentine playing out of his mind.
Additionally, if Hill is given a chance to develop this season with significant playing time, he provides a small comfort for next season when Yao’s contract will surely be scaled back or non-existent. Now would seemingly be the time to ascertain Hill’s value playing center next to Luis Scola. Else the Rockets must attain a starting caliber pivot via trade or free agency for next season.
I would hope that we are all in agreement that Yao’s on-court production does not warrant his stature as the highest paid player at his position. His production was more than passable as a back up however, which begs the question: Are the Rockets able to transition Yao into a Bill Walton-esque role off the bench? After career threatening injuries cut short Walton’s starting gig with the Portland Trailblazers and San Diego/LA Clippers, Walton reinvented himself with the help of Red Auerbach as a role player in Boston. As a Celtic, Walton came off the bench in the 1985-86 season to average almost 20 minutes in 80 games, more games than he had ever previously played in one season. He shot efficiently and rebounded and blocked shots at close to his career rates to help the Celtics win the title that year.
Granted, Houston will not be able to surround Yao with multiple Hall of Famers, thereby all but ruling out a championship. But could Yao reinvent his role on the team to possibly be employed as a cooler to stop opposing teams’ runs or a closer to finish games? Can a team handle that type of player rotation? Would it be a safety blanket players know they can fall back upon or a disruption that destroys cohesion?
If I had to sum up the Rockets’ plan going forward in one word, it would be: Strategery. But does Daryl Morey have a Lockbox for this particular scenario?
*Seinfeld reference – The Strike featuring Festivus and The Human Fund
**Obviously Yao did not die last night, but his career is asking, “What are you doing?” To which Yao’s feet are replying, “I’m burying you.” Not only that, but those bass turds are working me, as a Rockets fan, over like a speed bag.
Every time Yao dives for a loose ball or takes a charge, I cringe, waiting for the sucker punch below the belt. These two illustrations capture the feelings I can expect while Yao is on the court:
1) In high school, while playing lacrosse, my best friend successfully deflected a shot with a certain region that should otherwise be protected by a cup. He crumpled to the ground, rolled over twice in agony, then sprang to his feet and sprinted about 30 yards down the field. All of that while stripping himself of his pads and simultaneously pulling his shorts away from contact with the hurt region. It took him awhile to get his house in order.
2) Milliseconds after teeing off the par 3, No. 7 at Old Brickyard in Dallas, my shallowly struck ball reversed direction off a protruding a railroad tie framing the front of the tee box. Pain erupted from that certain area as my backswing was cut short. A few moments later, from the fetal position, I realized the pain was coming from my thigh and not my wedding tackle. While I had a welt the size of a golf ball for over a week on my inner thigh, I was able to take a drop and card a well earned 5 (tee shot, drop, hit to green, two-putt).
As long as the Rockets are dependent on Yao, I am going to experience the emotional equivalent of #1 or #2 every time Yao hits the deck. Will I sigh in relief at what was surely a close call and continue playing along? Or do I suffer the hard rubber ball to the groin of a lost season when Yao breaks his foot?
Either way, Yao is painful at $17 million.
***According to Yahoo! Sports depth charts
