A Chinese reporter in Houston announced it in his blog: http://keithinhouston.blog.sohu.com/120666596.html(Chinese of course) some important translation as follows: "Right after deciding to take over Shanghai Sharks,Yao's determined to take the surgery,"the sooner the better!" The surgery will be operated on Yao next week by Thomas Clanton...... ...... Although rumors out there claim Yao would miss the whole season,Thomas Clanton believes it will take 8 months for the comeback,which means if smoothly,Yao will be possibly enabled in the end of March 2010......" For your information only! However,Yao haven't announced the decision himself.
Interesting... I at least pay some attention to anything from China ever since they broke the J. Howard heart condition story. And more importantly, thanks for the pics of the sexy ladies in that second link!
I wonder what Clanton means by 8 months... Does he mean until he can start training again? If so, Yao probably wouldn't be game ready for at least 9-10 months. Does he mean to actually be competing in an NBA game again? If so, that could be very good news.
after reading the link by OP.. if one was to translate word by word... then the 8 months include recovery and rehab... the original source also said that this will allow Yao to be activated in march 2010 (if everything goes smoothly).
Why does Clanton have to do the surgery? He did career ending surgery on Bob Sura, Dion Glover, Steve Francis and Mutombo.
If he his saying it is not season ending than that means he can return to action in 8 months if everything goes smoothly. Which means he would spend along time rehabbing his foot getting in game shape and then practicing with the team before going on the court. Anything less would mean it is season ending. Personally I can't see it lasting that long. Yao was out 6 months on the last injury. One could argue he came back too soon but this fracture is small compared to the last one. The Doctors already know Yao's foot and Yao already knows how to rehab. Yao always does everything the Doctors ask I expect everything to go better than smoothly and Yao would be ready a few weeks early at least. I wouldn't be surprised to see him return after all star. I expect his minutes would be limited as he works himself into game shape but their woud be plent of time to become a part of the rotation. I also think Clanton might be siding on the longer timetable just to be cautious and to sound like they are in compliance with the NBA's disabled exception. If you say he could be back in 6 months than a red flag goes up to the league and says we have been duped. Of course tis is nothing more than speculation, but after hearing Morey saying he is very optimistic and that they are not ruling out Yao returning, my gut thinks the Rockets talking the worst hoping for the best and expecting something in between.
The Only way Yao will put in the effort to rush and play this season, is if we have a legitiment chance at the playoffs. Otherwise, I see no point in him coming back and possibly injusring himsself again before next season. But, problem is that his contract expires, so he might have to show some poential on the court to get a nice contract
No link it was during the 3rd summer league game. I might actually try to make a video if you didn't have JVG in your name. j/k I'll try to make a video later.
I thought he had a player option to opt out if he wanted but doesn't have to if he doesn't. This injury just means we'll have Yao for another year without agreeing on a new contract.
if yao misses the entire season, its much more likely that he will pick up the player option on his contract for the following season. It will ensure that he gets like 16 mil IIRC. If he misses an entire season amidst the rumors that his career is over, I dont think that people would be clamoring to sign him for a max deal.
Might as well have the surgery already and try to come back as soon as possible. If the timetable is by end of March then there is still hope for a memorable season. ( a playoff season )
It's too risky for Yao to play next season. He should sit out the year. 99% chance that happens no matter how well the surgery goes or whether the Rockets contend for the playoffs. Forget about him returning next March or April.
True about the risk however if by that time, the Rockets are in a playoff chase then I believe the doctors would not allow him to play unless he can really play. It would be a case to case basis in deciding his availability in playing.
Just call me Mr. Optimism, but if Yao is back by March, if Tmac isn't traded by the deadline, and if we are in the playoff hunt........ Yao comes back, Tmac gets into form for his next contract, Ariza has learned the offense and team very well by March, Andersen has learned about the NBA and developed into an excellent back up to Yao, AB and Lowry have grown with our stars out, Scola and Landry have begun to take their games up a notch, Battier and Ariza turn out to be an even better defensive duo than Battier and Ron....and then....SPLASH! Houston Rockets 2009-2010 NBA CHAMPIONS! (pulling a fast one on all the other teams in the league ) You heard the "IF" scenario here first my friends.
