Su Wan sent a text message to Yao Ming to congratulate him for being named the Western Conference Player of the Month for November.
Leading the team on his own, he averaged 25.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game, with a shooting percentage of 51.9%. The Rockets' November record was 10 wins and 5 losses, ranking them fifth in the Western Conference.
He edged out Elton Brand to become the final Western Conference Player of the Month.
Actually, the record wasn't great, but without McGrady, no one expected Yao Ming to put up such a performance, and for the Rockets to maintain their Western Conference standing.
This prompted the constantly critical Houston media to change their tune and start vigorously cheering for Yao Ming.
Nevertheless, the Rockets management had no intention of using the max salary to extend Yao Ming's contract.
The reason was simple: if they gave Yao Ming the max salary now, how would they extend McGrady later?
