[Chron] Yao returns to Rockets practice

March 2, 2007, 1:03AM
Yao takes a big step
Center practices with Rockets, awaits decision on when he can play

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

During Yao Ming's exam at halftime of the Rockets' loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, Rockets team physician Tom Clanton told Yao he would be medically cleared to begin practicing Thursday.

Yao asked if he could play in the second half.

Doctors did not allow that and did not forecast when he would be able to play in games. But Yao practiced with the team Thursday for the first time since he fractured his right tibia Dec. 23.

"It was hard, a first day, but it was better than I thought," Yao said. "Last time, I had a toenail removed. I missed like one week. I came back and felt like everything went away — no conditioning, no skill or anything. Today felt much better than that day. I'm another step closer to playing."

Asked if he could play as soon as tonight against the Denver Nuggets, Yao said, "Don't set a trap for me. (The timetable) is on the doctor and coach."

The Rockets have not set a target date for Yao's return, though Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said again he is not part of that decision but believes if Yao is healthy enough for a full-contact practice, he seems healthy enough for a full-contact game.

Why not now?

"I truly don't understand contact practices and then not being able to play, but that's just me," Van Gundy said. "It's not for me to understand. That's got to be up to doctors, trainers (and) Yao. It's not for me to say. I don't see it the same way. I don't think banging against Jake Tsakalidis, his knee has any better (information) than he would Nené (tonight)..

"I don't make those decisions. They'll put him back on the court when they want to."

Yao has been attending practices and participating in shoot-arounds and walk-throughs at home and on the road since the return from the All-Star break to become more accustomed to changes in Rockets' plays and game plans.

"There has been three parts to his rehab," Rockets assistant head coach Tom Thibodeau said. "One, the obvious, physical therapy and recovery. He's been diligent with that since the injury. Whatever he can do, he does every day. The second part is the basketball component. We don't want him to lose his touch or his feel for the ball. Since he's been hurt, he's done whatever he can in terms of handling and shooting the ball, from in the chair, to standing, to jumping, to pivoting.

"The third part is the strength and conditioning."

That phase took a major step Thursday with the addition of contact practices. But after his first workout with the team, however, Yao said the level of contact in practice has increased by roughly the 290 pounds of Tsakalidis.

"The substitution on black team for Dikembe (Mutombo) was Juwan (Howard) and maybe Chuck (Hayes)," Yao said. "Now, after Dikembe was Jake, two 7-footers. I feel like saying some bad words. Jake, his size and his weight are really hard on me but will be really a big help for me getting back in shape."

Tsakalidis said he could tell Yao's conditioning was not back, but that it was well ahead of last season when Yao returned from six weeks rehabilitation following toe surgery, playing his first game against Tsakalidis in Memphis.

"He moved pretty smooth for a first practice, first time back at practice," Tsakalidis said. "He still has to get himself back in shape for running up and down and contact. For a first practice, he was very good.

"He was more tired last year. In the game, he was able to play only a couple minutes and he got tired."

Yao played 33 minutes that night, making seven of 14 shots for 15 points, with eight rebounds. In the next two games, he averaged 22.5 points and 13.5 rebounds.

"I was totally out of shape," Yao said. "The first day is always hard.

"Last year was just the toe. You cut off a piece of toe, that's not going to hurt you. The knee, everybody knows, is so important for a basketball player. Will it bother me to play in a live game? Practice and a game are very different. One goes from a level of running, non-contact, to today's contact. I feel it is different. A game is another level."


Knee brace problematic

Yao has repeatedly said he is uncomfortable with the knee brace that doctors have required he wear to play. During workouts, he often stops momentarily to readjust or pull the brace. But he also seems to have made his peace with the requirement.

"I believe the brace will be the best way to protect my knee, especially when I first come back to play," Yao said. "It will limit me, of course. Like my arm brace three years ago, same thing.

"But you don't run with your arm."

Yao, however, was finally permitted to do more than run, lift and shoot. He was able to practice, bringing him a clear step closer to playing again.

"I'm excited," he said. "I'm very excited."

jonathan.feigen@chron.com

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