Yao Officially Retiring Tomorrow

It's a shame that injuries forced Yao Ming's hand into retiring. It also sucks that Yao Ming's career will be surrounded by "ifs". He is 7-foot-6, played eight seasons for Houston, but has missed 250 regular-season games over the past six years.

He was an 8 time all star, selected 1st by the Rockets in 2002, and averaged 19 points and 9 board a game. Unlike most big men he was a good mid range and free throw shooter as well. When he first came into the league it was awesome watching him play, some of the greatest games were watching him and Shaq play. But that Rockets team just seemed cursed, between him and Tracy McGrady, no one could stay on the court long enough to do damage, and that's why they could never get passed the 2nd round.

However, unlike many analysts, I don't believe he belongs in the Hall of Fame. He may have been an international icon, but he hasn't played enough. At the end of the day he will be another foreign born huge guy who's health got the best of him. I always rooted for him to come back and even this offseason I was thinking maybe the Celtics could get him on some type of Shaq like deal. Again it's a shame that at 30 he has to retire and his career has came down to "ifs".

Poor Yao Ming

"Yao Ming missed all of last season with a foot injury. And due to an ankle injury, he's only played in five games this season. And now comes word from Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle that Ming has a stress fracture in his ankle -- with speculation his career might be over.

"Ming with another stress fracture in his left ankle," he tweeted. "Not in same bone, but same ankle. Wondering now if he'll ever return ... Previous tests did not show the fracture. MRI on Thursday showed the injury ... Yao said the obvious in summer. If can't stay healthy, can't keep playing. Is it over?"

For now, Yao's injury will have him out indefinitely (ESPN)."

You have to feel for this guy. He could've been one of the best centers in the game, but now I am not sure we will ever see him on an NBA court again. The Rockets franchise is one big "what if". What if McGrady was ever able to stay healthy? What if Yao Ming was ever to stay healthy? What if McGrady and Yao Ming actually got to play together.

Well, I guess shit happens, and the Rockets franchise is going to take a while to be relevant again.

Yao Injury Update

"Eight weeks after major surgery on his left foot Yao Ming told FOX 26 Sports Wednesday he is encouraged by what the doctors are telling him after they viewed images that indicate he is healing properly.

"The picture looks good," Yao said. "The bones heal well. The big bone heals well. That's good news. It helps my mind. "The key bone, (the tarsal) navicular, they will do testing later, but not that day."

Yao said there is no chance he will be able to play during the upcoming season.

"The answer is no," Yao said. "You don't want to rush it, because they want it to totally heal this time. I have been in this situation enough (ESPN)."

Well the good news is that his career isn't over, and he will be able to play in 2010. It just sucks that every time this guy gets it going his legs/feet fail him. This is going to be one of those guys that you look back on and think what might have been. If I was him I would ditch the Rockets they are nothing but terrible luck for anyone who plays for them...

Yao Back This Season?

"Yao Ming's return from foot surgery might come sooner than anyone expected. In an interview with ESPN The Magazine's Sam Alipour, Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said Yao could return at some point in the 2009-10 season and the team no longer feels his broken left foot is a career-threatening injury. "Yao Ming is progressing well. I don't think that [a career-ending scenario] is something that will happen, based on what I'm hearing from the doctors," Morey told Alipour. "They do know that the bone will heal and he'll get back on it. And they have not actually ruled out [his return] this season. I think that's less likely than likely, but they haven't ruled it out. "And next season, the outlook is very good. He just took off the cast for a short period [two weeks ago], so the doctors could examine it, and everything is going well. Everything is on track (ESPN)."

this is a complete 180 from the talk that was going on when he decided to have surgery. I don't know how much I believe all this, but I hope it is true, because the Rockets have had just terrible luck with injuries. Yao really looked like he was finally becoming a top player in the NBA, but every time he gets it rolling his feet ruin it for him. We'll see how this sudden optimistic view goes, but at least the Rockets are finally getting some encouraging news.

Yao Opts For Surgery

"Houston Rockets center Yao Ming has elected to have extensive surgery on his fractured left foot that almost certainly eliminates his chances of playing next season but offers hope that he can resume his NBA career and not fracture the foot a career-ending third time. After consultation with a battery of doctors, Yao, 28, has decided to undergo a bone graft to heal the existing fracture and have his arch surgically lowered to reduce the stress on his foot (ESPN)."

Smart move by Yao. The whole wait and see if it heals itself never made much sense to me. Ilgauskas went through the same procedure a couple years ago, and was able to battle his way back, so hopefully Yao can do the same. Yao will miss all of next season, but at least now there is hope he might be able to continue his career the following season.

Yao's Career Over?

"It was odd to hear that the Rockets were aggressively trying to acquire a high first-round pick in last week's NBA draft, offering such core names as Aaron Brooks, Shane Battier, and Carl Landry. Now we know why. Yahoo! Sports is reporting that the Rockets are gravely concerned that their franchise center, Yao Ming, could miss all of the 2009-10 season because his fractured left foot isn't healing properly. The situation is so serious, according to the report, that Houston officials are privately wondering if Yao will ever play again (Sportsline)."

This is really chocking news. I knew the injury was serious, but I thought he would be ready for nest season. Now it seems like they aren't sure if he will ever be able to play again. The Rockets have gone through so many injuries with not just Yao, but McGrady too. This would be devastating to the Rockets, who always seem to be on the verge of doing something special before injuries kick in. We will have more on this as it develops, but you might see the Rockets blowup this team if Yao is really done, and start from scratch.

USA Spanks China 101-70

I was one of the one billion people that watched the China vs. USA basketball game today, and I have to admit that I thought it would be a decent game since China had home court advantage and a bunch of big guys. I was wrong. It was like watching the Celtics take on BC, just a joke all around. Kobe, Lebron, Redd, and Chris Paul were just way too much for Yao and company. To make it worse for China Yao, looked like he hurt his ankle, and you have to think the Houston Rockets are pissed right now. Anyways, they kept saying the games will get tougher, but USA finally put together a team that plays D, and have actually practiced with each other, so I expect them to roll through everyone. Once again USA basketball will be where it belongs...at #1.

Box Score

-BMack

Ron Artest/ Yao Ming Drama

Let the ridiculousness start in Houston. Yao Ming and Ron Artest have already got into a vocal feud with each other. Here are some comments:

Yao started off by: “Hopefully, he’s not fighting anymore and going after a guy in the stands”

Artests Replied, “I understand what Yao said, but I’m still ghetto,” Artest said, according to the report. “That’s not going to change. I’m never going to change my culture. Yao has played with a lot of black players, but I don’t think he’s ever played with a black player that really represents his culture as much as I represent my culture. Once Yao Ming gets to know me, he’ll understand what I’m about."
and...
“If you go back to the brawl, that’s a culture issue right there,” Artest added, according to the report. “Somebody was disrespecting me, so he’s got to understand where I’m coming from. People that know me know that Ron Artest never changed.”

The the Rockets management stepped in and here are Ron's comments:
“I guess once Yao Ming approves [the deal], I’ll be a Houston Rocket,” Artest said, according to the report. “[Yao] probably should’ve called me first. But at the same time, it’s Yao Ming’s team.”

“Whatever Yao Ming wants me to do, I’ll be there. Whatever Tracy McGradytells me to do, that’s how it’s going to go down. Ultimately, whatever [Rockets] coach Rick Adelman tells me to do is exactly what I’m going to do.”

Even though I believe Houston will be good this season, I think Ron might be a little bit of a cancer here.

Yao Ming Out For Season

Yao Ming is out for the season with a stress fracture in his left foot. This will require to have season ending surgery. At least the Rockets got Gerald Green at the trade deadline. I believe he will be able to replace Ming just fine. (sarcasim) So I guess there goes their play-off hopes.