Suppose we get into the second round or more, should Yao force himself to play for us in the playoffs? I personally think if we can get to WCF, Yao should come out and help. What about you?
YES! Of course! As long as it does not jeopardize his career. If playing in the WCF would only delay his full healing then by all means I want him to play!
This is a non-issue. I don't think "forcing himself" to play two months early is even the most remote option after he has had surgery.
I would like to think so. To me it could be embarrassing for Yao and everyone involved; Team Yao, CNT, etc. if the Rockets finally do well in playoffs the season Yao gets injured. You know this will give the Yao haters ammo saying that Yao is too soft or can not dominate in Playoff basketball and was holding the Rockets back. However, even if we are doing well and Yao is not 100%, I seriously doubt CNT and Team Yao will allow Yao to play and risk re-injury before the Olympics in China. But how glorious would it be if Yao got off the bench to go suit up in his uniform before Game 7!
He's getting season ending surgery today...its not like he is choosing to sit out. I don't think its something he can just "get over" with some advil and an ice pack...Yao will come back as soon as he can and that's next season.
He should sit on the bench in his warm-ups just to scare the opposition into thinking he might come into the game. Realistically, he ain't gonna play this season, no matter how deep we go.
I'd say no. Love to have him back. However, first I'd hate to have him reinjure himself when he isn't fully recovered yet; next, he won't have his conditioning down yet; next, next, WHEN we get deep in the playoffs we'll have some pretty good team chemistry and focus going - I think it might be more disruptive to interject Yao into the mix. Other than that, I'd love to have him as our premier cheerleader from the bench and in all of the team huddles!
He should come back ONLY if he is truly healthy. even if we get as far as WC final, it is probably better for Yao to sit out unless he is 100% ready to play. It is very difficult, and probably not beneficial to the team, to integrate him back to the lineup while he is recovering from injury and getting in shape. if he is not completely healthy, I don't want to risk having him injury long term. I think NBA is going to change the current playoff format, so in the coming years it won't be as much of a fight to get out of the WC. I like our current group and system, we will only get better with the talents we have, and Yao is going to be an integral part of that. I doubt he will play again this season.
Yao should only play when he is 100% healed......He still has many years left no need to risk those for this one. DD
Yao will play when he has heeled 100% or when the government of China threatens his livelihood in pursuit of nationalistic pride ad the cost of his career, whichever comes first.
yao should play if we make the finals. if we made the finals, he'd have already had about 3 months to recuperate.
