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Injury-riddled Yao Ming frets over future in game


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(Reuters) - Yao Ming has cast doubt on his return to the NBA by admitting to the possibility he may not play again as he battles to recover from his latest injury, Chinese media reported.

 

The towering Houston Rockets center, China's most recognizable athlete, told CCTV he could not predict when, or indeed if, he would fully recover from a serious ankle fracture suffered last November.

 

"I don't know if I would join some champion team in the future," the China Daily quoted him as saying when asked about leaving a new-look Rockets team.

 

"I don't even know if I can play again."

 

Yao, however, said the prospect of playing in front of his baby daughter Amy gave him extra motivation to continue his injury-plagued career in the NBA.

 

"I wish she could watch me play and even win a championship," the 7ft-6in (2.28-meter) Yao said.

 

"Not only see through video highlights how her dad played. She is definitely a big motivation for me to continue, although my foot still needs lots of treatment.

 

"Walking or jogging is okay... but I need to get 80 percent of my strength back to play. I have got only about 30 percent at most now."

 

Yao confessed he was not sure how he would fit in with the plans of new Rockets coach Kevin McHale.

 

"A championship ring has become not so important in my plans," Yao said. "My main thought for the next 10 years is to look after my family and continue my community activities."

Yao's five-year contract with the Rockets, valued at $76 million, expires on June 30, with the threat of a lockout also looming.

 

The 30-year-old has triggered NBA-mania in China since being selected first overall by Houston in the 2002 draft but has been cursed by injury in the United States.

 

Yao insisted, however, it would be hard to leave the Rockets because of injury or a trade away.

 

"I have spent the best 10 years of my life playing and living (in Houston)," the All-Star said. "That makes it much harder to bid farewell."

 

(Reporting by Alastair Himmer in Tokyo; Editing by John O'Brien)

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/08/us-nba-china-yao-idUSTRE7571E620110608

 

Hard to believe that he said a championship ring isn't all that important to him but I can understand what he was trying to say. Anyways the fact that he thinks he's only 30% on the road to recovery makes me worried and he doesn't sound very confident about making a return.

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Finally facing reality. Like I said in the past I wouldn't be opposed to signing Yao to a min and seeing if you can just get a solid bench player out of him but if he really thinks he can't play then save the aggravation for everyone and just focus on health, family, and the community. He's such a good guy all around he can still make an impact in whatever he chooses to do.

 

No one wants to see Yao end his career this way, but you face reality and part ways. He has done a lot for China, carried a burden with him when he came to Houston and all in all regardless of minutes played he has been an outstanding representative for China. I was happy when the Rockets got rid of Tmac, and I probably will be happy if the Rockets and Yao just move on and close this ugly chapter for good. Either way you look at it small role or no role, Yao Ming is now the least important aspect for the future of the Rockets.

 

Lets be honest the overseas business for Les Alexander is the only reason he keeps holding on to the notion that Yao can make some type of significant comeback....

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Ahh well nice call.

 

But I still believe...somewhat. :(

 

Finally facing reality. Like I said in the past I wouldn't be opposed to signing Yao to a min and seeing if you can just get a solid bench player out of him but if he really thinks he can't play then save the aggravation for everyone and just focus on health, family, and the community. He's such a good guy all around he can still make an impact in whatever he chooses to do.

 

No one wants to see Yao end his career this way, but you face reality and part ways. He has done a lot for China, carried a burden with him when he came to Houston and all in all regardless of minutes played he has been an outstanding representative for China. I was happy when the Rockets got rid of Tmac, and I probably will be happy if the Rockets and Yao just move on and close this ugly chapter for good. Either way you look at it small role or no role, Yao Ming is now the least important aspect for the future of the Rockets.

 

Lets be honest the overseas business for Les Alexander is the only reason he keeps holding on to the notion that Yao can make some type of significant comeback....

 

Chinese media exposure probably played a large role in management's decision to keep him around all these years but I don't think its the only reason they did. He's a 7'6 center superstar when healthy, how many of those are you going to find in free agency or even the draft? Without him we would be years away from contention so they kept him around in hopes that he would finally have a healthy season, but like the fans management was in for a big disappointment.

 

Anyways I hope we resign him to a small deal and see if we can bring him back at some point in the season.

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