Yao has 7 NBA seasons under his belt. He'll be 30 next season. He's not a young, developing player anymore. He is what he is.
Age is not as important as mileage. Yao has played in 481 games. Lebron has played in 548 games. If Yao can get his feet healthy he could very well have 5-6 great years left in him...
with multiple surgeries + playing year round since he started playing ball, now add that to his 481 games and it's probably like 1000 games. 5-6 great years? that's like praying for a miracle. hopefully he'll have 1-2 great years left and that's still praying. and we can try to really compete with this group.
well since you are also an anonymous fan on a BBS. he shall therefore do the opposite of what you say because he cannot trust you and WILL take our advice :grin:
I specifivally remember that ever since he had Reebok as his shoe is when all of his feet problems started. when he was wearing Nikes his feet were ok. He should try whatever he thinks works and forget about endorsements and find the pair of shoes that fit his feet and feel like his feet feel the freshest after running all day or playing basketball. As a runner I know its all about the shoes sometimes and how good my feet feel after I run in them or dont hurt at al. Some brands and shoes just dont work and make my feet hurt and or legs. Some just do. Yao might consider that.
On defense, keep arms and hands straight up in the air and do not lean back or forth. I've seen Yao lean forward too many times on defense, resulting in fouls. A wall does not sway back and forth.
Don't you think that question is being evaluated by the absolute top medical experts the Rockets can afford considering he will make $17 million this season or the, more likely scenario, going into the free agent market to avoid the upcoming collective bargaining agreement. My advice to Yao, let your agent and medical community lead you to a healthy, successful NBA career, not take advice from an Internet forum. Sorry, I'm in a snotty mood. But this is the truth.
My advice and I've said it many times: Yao, go back to China. The NBA doesn't respect you. Unlike the superstars in the NBA, you don't get the calls. They hate you here.
You should ask for a trade, so you can rid yourself of us miserable Houston fans, especially on Clutch Fans. It's weird, you are the only Rocket getting an advice thread, as seven year pro and multiple all-star appearance, while other players, like David Andersen; Kyle Lowry; and Kevin Martin's defense escape offseason advice. If I am giving you advice as run-of-the-mill fan, then your organization, management, trainers, and handlers are failing you for not properly taking care of your injuries and teaching you to work on and improve certain aspects of your game. I'm pretty sure you would know your limitations and shortcomings, after this many years, kind of like a guy in a wheelchair or Dwight Howard on offense. As far as the referees go, I cannot help you there, since shooting an NBA ref with a 12 gauge is not legal in any of the greater 50 states.
The biggest thing Yao can do to stay health should be fairly simple for him... LOSE AS MUCH WEIGHT AS POSSIBLE!!!! That's it. Yao was pretty skinny his first 2 years and was injury free...as he put on more weight his injuries started to pile up. Yeah, muscle helps in the post and with rebounding, but ultimately lead to his injury problems. Who cares if he's a bit weaker? Even if he loses some mass he'll still be stronger and more skilled than he was when he first came into the league...and...it won't matter how strong he is if he's going to be sitting on the bench at the end of the season. He needs to lose weight if he wants his body to stop breaking down. Period. I can't believe how completely clueless the Rockets trainers are when it comes to this issue. It's basic shear and bending forces through a rigid body...decrease the weight or decrease the distance of the weight from the stress point...obviously the only thing you can control is the weight...unless they want to shrink Yao(which might be a good idea )
I've always wondered how much does Yao really weigh or even topped out at . . . he came in the league at 297-303, and is currently 310 (Yahoo Sports)? I think he weighs more than that like Shaq who was and even 300 pounds forever. But, in reality weighed closer to 350-365, some OT: Shaq's maximum vert back in 1992 was 36 inches.
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