Is Yao done?
The 2009-10 season for Rockets center Yao Ming is in jeopardy as is the remainder of his career due to his foot injury, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
Initially, the plan was to have Yao immobilize his foot, which he hurt in the Western Conference Semi-Finals against the Lakers, in hopes that it would heal on its own. However, a CT scan showed deterioration in the foot and surgery may be necessary.
“At this point, the injury has the potential for him missing this next season and could be career-threatening,” [Rockets team physician Tom] Clanton said. “One of the things we are trying to get is a consensus opinion on that, to make certain there is no option we are overlooking that would provide an earlier return or would be an option for treatment that he would prefer rather than doing additional surgery.”
“Yao,” [Rockets GM Daryl] Morey said before the latest test results, “is the cornerstone of our franchise now and in the future.”
The (potential) loss of Yao for next season and perhaps longer comes hours before the start of the NBA free-agency period.
This could impact whether or not free-agent Ron Artest still wants to return to Houston as he has said he does.
Will the Rockets pursue a free-agent center even though there are limited options? Or do they pursue a power forward that can play center? If Yao is ruled out for the season, they could request disabled player exception to the salary cap, which would allow them to sign a player to the mid-level exception ($5.8 million).
Initially, the plan was to have Yao immobilize his foot, which he hurt in the Western Conference Semi-Finals against the Lakers, in hopes that it would heal on its own. However, a CT scan showed deterioration in the foot and surgery may be necessary.
“At this point, the injury has the potential for him missing this next season and could be career-threatening,” [Rockets team physician Tom] Clanton said. “One of the things we are trying to get is a consensus opinion on that, to make certain there is no option we are overlooking that would provide an earlier return or would be an option for treatment that he would prefer rather than doing additional surgery.”
“Yao,” [Rockets GM Daryl] Morey said before the latest test results, “is the cornerstone of our franchise now and in the future.”
The (potential) loss of Yao for next season and perhaps longer comes hours before the start of the NBA free-agency period.
This could impact whether or not free-agent Ron Artest still wants to return to Houston as he has said he does.
Will the Rockets pursue a free-agent center even though there are limited options? Or do they pursue a power forward that can play center? If Yao is ruled out for the season, they could request disabled player exception to the salary cap, which would allow them to sign a player to the mid-level exception ($5.8 million).
