Yao works his way back Rockets center Yao Ming was back on the practice floor a day after his left big toenail was surgically removed. He was not ready to practice, but he shot free throws and offered hope he could return more quickly than the seven to 10 days predicted on Monday. "It feels good," Yao said. "It's not bothering me anymore. I hope that toenail never grows back. I had the experience before (when he removed a nail himself in July 2004). I took my right nail off two years ago. I really felt bad. I had 10 days I almost could not walk, could not walk normally. But today is a different experience for me. I feel I can walk today, maybe ... jog tomorrow, maybe jump the day after and play at the end of this week maybe." Yao's new shoes arrived Monday and are higher on his ankle, with the top eyelet farther back to allow him to tie them tighter and perhaps avoid the sliding he has had inside the shoe. "The doctor told me I have a special foot because my big toe is longer than my second toe," Yao said. "In 90 percent of people, the second toe is at least even with the big toe. I'm different, so that means more pressure on the big toe. This is the (shoe) they sent me, and I feel pretty comfortable." Yao said some of his problems come from being a big man in the crowded paint. "I saw Dikembe (Mutombo's) foot," he said. "It's an ugly foot. I can be a foot model."
Why? Why bring him back sooner? I don't think even 7-10 days is enough. Let it heal up. There has to ve some kind of protective shield kind of thing strictly for his big toe. Is the shoe designed so that the area where the big toe goes is extended further out and padded? That could help tremendously.
glad to see yao is continuing his practice, even with the injury. a real role model. (maybe not a foot model ) with the way they played last night against memphis, adding yao and bonzi! wow! really cant wait.
It's good to hear Yao is getting better and will be good to see him back on the court and participating in the training camp. I hope this new shoe helps Yao and helps prevent further injury to his toe.
if yaos feet are different than most where his big toe is longer than second toe, i think his shoes should be designed for that as well.. most of the shoes we see have a round front edge which assumes that the big toe is shorter than the second toe.. yaos' shoes front edge should be different.. like round on the outer side and squar on the inner side to give space for his big toe..
i HATE THE FACT THAT WE ARE SPENDING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT FREAKING FEET AND INFECTED TOES INSTEAD OF BASKETBALL. pLEASE LETS MOVE ON!
Does it concern anyone that Yao is checking out everyone's feet??? Should I say a severe case of foot fetish? Oh god, I dont think Ye li goes that way
Haha..Yao is great, I enjoy his humor. Does anyone else read his commentary with a Chinese accent in your head? I do!
I wonder how many of us are in the office right now taking off their shoes and socks to the dismay of co-workers as we check our toe lengths...
Deke: Yao has become a foot model. Rybo: A foot model? Deke: Yes. Rybo: (To Yao) Really? Let me look at them.. Yao: (Defensively) You can look at them, but do NOT touch them. (Holds them out. Rybo studies them) Rybo: Let's see.. oh, those are nice. You know, I've never noticed this before? They're smooth.. creamy.. delicate, yet masculine.
