Apart from bolstering their team strength, they also started earning more money.
Unlike Zhang Yang, who joined the Bobcats and was selected as an All-Star starter after playing most of the season, Yao Ming was already a walking 'money-printing machine.' Back in the day, even Ryan Bowen, a fringe player averaging 2 points and 2 rebounds per game, had interviews every now and then. He could earn hundreds of thousands of US dollars in sponsorships annually, nearly matching his NBA salary from off-court earnings.
Apart from a very few players like Bob Sura and someone else, all teammates loved Yao Ming.
The Bobcats were also very excited, eagerly awaiting the start of the defending champions' season.
