<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Rockets center Yao Ming moved a step closer to his return, though team physician Tom Clanton said that after an MRI on Wednesday it was still too early to agree with Yao's prediction last week that he would play in "about two weeks." "His progress has been exceptionally good so far," Clanton said. "It's been right on track, and he's had no setbacks. You don't want to put somebody into a position there is a risk of injury, and one of the things that's been shown to be directly related to sports injuries is failure to completely rehabilitate from an injury such as this. We're going along step by step and making sure he meets the goals he sets." Of Yao's goal of returning in two weeks, Clanton said, "I think that's what he's saying."</div> Source
3 weeks is probably a good estimate. I was initially hoping March 1st when the injury occured, but March 15th is my new target date.
The Rockets have the luxury of Yao taking all the time he needs to heal because the team continues to win and the Lakers are a train wreck.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Rockets have the luxury of Yao taking all the time he needs to heal because the team continues to win and the Lakers are a train wreck.</div> Yeah, but we still want to get ahead of Utah so we'll have home court advantage over them in the playoffs. It looks increasingly likely that Jazz-Rockets will be the 4-5 matchup in the WC first round. I think the Spurs will erupt in the second half, as is their pattern. They always seem to start slow and finish fast. Some Rockets fans had aspirations for that 3rd seed, but that looks like a far-fetched dream at this point.
The Rockets are winning without Yao, and Utah has been an average team since the got off to a quick start. The Rockets should be able to surpass Utah in the standings by next week. Tony Parker's knee is bothering him, which could open the door for Houston to gain ground on the Spurs. Rockets should be able to win their next 5 games, and build some momentum before the Rockets vs. Spurs on March 3rd.
I want the big man back when he feels he's good enough to play, be it late March. We're winning without him and have no need of rushing him back.
