http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/sports/nba/090509_yao_ming_season_over HOUSTON - NBA sources on Saturday told FOX 26 Sports Houston Rockets center Yao Ming's season is over. Rockets officials have decided even if the franchise advances to the NBA's Western Conference Finals, Yao will not play any more this season. The Rockets had issued a release earlier Saturday stating that Yao had undergone tests on his injured left ankle and would be re-evaluated Sunday by team physician Dr. Tom Clanton. The Rockets initial tests on Yao showed that he had a sprained ankle. He suffered the injury during the Rockets loss to the Lakers in game three of their best of seven series Friday. The Rockets trail the Lakers two games to one. Rockets officials have not been available for comment
Re: [Fox 26] Yao is done for the playoffs Sorry to hear this Houston fans. I really feel bad for the dude.
Re: [Fox 26] Yao is done for the playoffs Thanks. The Rockets need to figure out if he's a guy they can ever depend on for a long playoff run. He stayed healthy this season because the team made an effort to limit his minutes. But in the playoffs, you need your stars to be able to play bigger minutes.
Re: [Fox 26] Yao is done for the playoffs Yao is not a lucky guy,he work hard but always get hurt,best bless to Yao
That's horrible. He needs to rest up this summer, no more playing competitive basketball in China (is that even possible?). Give the guy a break for once. He's 7'6, if they continue working him to the ground every year he's going to have a lot of issues in the future. Yao's a beast though, a warrior. I feel horrible for him.
That's really a tough break for you guys. No one likes to see what should have been a close series decided by an injury to a key player.
I just imagine putting myself in Yao's position. It must be hard as hell for someone that big to keep running up and down the floor consistently during a game. Too bad all the giants are bound to get hurt at some point. I really feel for Yao, this guy is a WARRIOR. I felt his courage and determination to get back in the game in Game 1. He was like, "I really wanna get out there" He knew how important it was for the Rockets to win. This guy did whatever he could to play through the injury. But at one point, you just have to call it quits. Goodluck to the Rockets for the rest of the postseason. They've finally gotten over the hump of the 1st round curse. I still feel that we can win another game or 2 from the Lakers. Next year, with a healthy Tmac and a healthy Yao, we WILL win the championship!
Re: [Fox 26] Yao is done for the playoffs that just isn't true at all. he played more minutes this season than in his 2nd and 3rd years in the league in which he played 82 and 80 games. there has really only been one season of yao's career when his minutes were significantly different than the other years and that was last year when he was at 37 per game. that seems to be too many over the long haul of the season while 33-34 is the proper amount. in the playoffs with added rest, he can pick up more minutes. yao has always averaged more minutes in the playoffs.
Re: [Fox 26] Yao is done for the playoffs In Yao's first three seasons, he played less minutes than he has the past 4. He reached the playoffs once in those years, averaging 37 mpg. But his team was out in 5 games, so his endurance wasn't exactly tested. I think the reason Yao last as long as he did this season was because his minutes were down. In the playoffs, he's played heavy minutes the last several games. I don't think his body is built for it. Yeah, the Rockets may get away with it for a while, but he keeps logging these 35+ minute games his body will eventually wear down. No player his size, in the history of the league, has had to play as many minutes as he has.
I'm sure with more rest in the off-season and 30-35 minutes he'll be in better shape. Hopefully he can play much longer, he'll still be a vital piece in the future I think.
Re: [Fox 26] Yao is done for the playoffs 29, 32.8, 30.6, 34.2, 33.8, 37.2, 33.6. those are yao's minute per game averages of his career. you really think playing 33 minutes per game is a huge deal that wears him down for the postseason? playing 35 or 40 minutes a game in the postseason is fine. there are days off and plenty of rest in the playoffs.
Re: [Fox 26] Yao is done for the playoffs You're not reading my words. I'm not blaming this injury on the 34 mpg he averaged in the regular season. I think the increase in minutes in the playoffs greatly increased his chances of injury. He's played at least 39 minutes in 5 of 6 games. I think the Rockets are playing with fire when they ask Yao to play those kind of minutes, after such a long season.
If the Rockets plan to blow it up this would be the offseason to have an overhaul. You have Artest free agent & TMac large expiring contract along with what the team can get for Yao.
yeah...um...could you please get Mr. Miyagi to heal Yao's ankle so he can play again in this series. Lakers have gained all their leads with him on the court and lost them all when he was on the bench
I would be surprized if the Lakers don't crush Houston the next two games. They have far more talent, a center who isn't 6'6, more veterans, a top 2 coach (or the best) of all time in Phil. and yes Game 4 was embarassing, kudos to Houston playing their asses off, but the calibre of the Lakers should be a level above the Rocket's with their current injuries. Believe me, a completely healthy Yao is not something the Lakers would prefer to be starting for Houston.
I agree, Yao isn't going anywhere, but this would be the right time to get a deal done. It's going to be interesting to see if they keep Artest or if Artest wants to re-sign with Houston. He's had two great games and two bad ones in the Laker series, but he's been vital to Houston advancing to round 2 finally. I'm not sure what Houston could get back if they deal TMac. Teams looking to have cap room in 2010 would only want him if Houston was willing to take back a lousy contract.
Time to realize neither Yao or McGrady is worth 13+mil and no where near 20mil They can't be depended on late in the season Time to find another superstar Yao has a player option, so he'll be around 2 more years TMac is gone after next year. Rockets are not going to over pay Ron this offseason and with Von's immaturity clear in game 2, who knows Scola, Landry, Brooks are the guys I see this team built around in the near future
Scola is older than Yao Ming by a few months. He'll be 30 next season, I don't think he's someone they can build around. I really don't think Houston needs to rebuild at this point and blow it up. They've competed with the Lakers and are a few pieces away from being a top 2 seed in the West. I don't think TMac puts them over the top, but if they can deal him for a couple of solid role players including a viable backup center, the Rockets will be right there.
