Improve Comdey Club In Houston

First Cup: Monday

Louise Watt of The Associated Press: "Yao Ming's expected retirement could diminish the NBA's once-burgeoning popularity in China, with many fans saying they would no longer watch games. 'What's the point of watching NBA now?' asked an online user called Lubingxia on Sina Weibo, a Chinese Twitter-like site. An online poll on Weibo by Monday lunchtime showed that 57 percent of respondents would stop watching the NBA after Yao's retirement. The 7-foot-6 center is expected to announce July 20 at a news conference that he's retiring from the NBA after nine seasons because of leg and foot injuries. He boosted the popularity of the basketball league in China and throughout Asia, spiking merchandise sales and TV ratings for games after the Houston Rockets made him the top overall pick in the 2002 draft." Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman: "In truth, Oklahoma City owes Yao a debt of gratitude. By opening up Asia and globalizing the NBA, he helped make international stars out of the NBA's best regardless of where they play. NYC. MIA. OKC. Doesn't matter. And that's good news for Thunder fans. Durant can grow his brand while playing here in Oklahoma City. Granted, being a big brand isn't the be all, end all for players -- being able to contend for championships is a big deal, too -- but it's one thing that Oklahoma City doesn't have to worry about when it comes to the face of the franchise. He doesn't have to be in one of those major cities to be known all across the globe. Durant has Yao to thank for that. OKC has the big man to thank for that, too." Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle: "Shane Battier was disappointed, bothered really, that the Rockets traded him at midseason. With as much as he had put into the organization, he left thinking the job wasn't done. 'I was disappointed that I couldn't see to the finish what I started out,' he said. 'It would have been nice to go through one more stretch run with those guys.

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