<i>Good news In a rare twist of late, a Rockets player went down with an injury, feared the worst only to receive the best news possible. Glen Rice went from being listed as doubtful to play tonight to questionable before Tuesday's practice to listed as a probable starter by the team headed to Indianapolis. "It was great news," said Rice, who landed awkwardly on his knee knee in practice Monday and underwent an MRI exam. "Once they tell you, `you just broke up a little scar tissue, it is such a relief. I didn't want to miss one or two more days. I'm trying not to miss a couple days." Rice tested his knee at today's shootaround. "It will mean a lot to be out there is it is feeling good," he said. "If it's not up to par, it's a matter of being smart." Either way, it beats what was going through his mind after hurting his knee Monday. "I was thinking, `Man, it's going to be another nightmare,' " Rice said. "Strange things go through, like `Wow, maybe this is it. Once I got the news everything was fine, it was a big, big relief." Forward Kenny Thomas is listed as doubtful with a fractured right thumb. He is scheduled to practice Thursday at Denver and could be cleared to play the next night. "This is the first time I've ever been hurt this long," Thomas said. "It's been eight days. It's killing me. I'm the type of person who loves to play the game of basketball." Yao healthy Yao Ming offhandedly mentioned Tuesday he underwent an MRI on his sore right knee the day before, revealing another area of concern for the Rockets. No injury was found, and team trainer Keith Jones said the test was merely the last part of his physical examinations. "I don't have any problem walking," Yao said. "It shouldn't be a problem playing." However, there was one last-minute change regarding Yao. The NBA instructed the Rockets to remove "Ming" from the back of Yao's uniform, leaving only "Yao." League policy requires that surnames only appear on player's uniforms. Been there When Yao Ming hits the road for the first time as a NBA player -- other than the quick hop down the road to San Antonio -- the Rockets center will see the only two NBA cities in which he already has spent any time. Yao spent two weeks in Indianapolis last month participating in the World Basketball Championships. He also attended a Nike camp in Indianapolis several years ago. He spent a week in Denver training with the Chinese National Team. "I wish we were starting the season in Hawaii," Yao said. Still nervous Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich has been in the NBA as a player, scout, broadcaster, assistant coach or head coach since 1970, but he said he still feels a rush of nerves before season openers. "When I was a kid, the two or three nights before the first day of school I could not sleep," Tomjanovich said. "I'm the same way now. My mind's racing about how's this going to be, how's that going to be. The excitement. A couple years ago, when I had that exhaustion, I sort of re-evaluated what this whole thing means to me, and I love it. "You can't make miracles happen. I've been blessed to have done it two times with the Rockets and the Olympic team. But sometimes I want it now. It doesn't happen now. But I get into a feeling of gratitude of trying to help another team win." -- JONATHAN FEIGEN </i>
BOOYAH! That's great news! Now if Rice can have a big game we can get out of Indiana with a W. <i>I wish we were starting the season in Hawaii," Yao said. </i> LOL, where did that come from? Not that I disagree with him, I wish I had tickets for a Rocket game in Hawaii!
I agree it's great news, but what's up with the baby talk? Glen Rice is a grown man. Just cause he has a booboo doesn't mean Feigan's gotta call it his "knee knee."
Don't know how well Rice will do against long, lean players like Bender and Harrington though. Hopefully, Ming lasts 30 minutes without fouling out, and Grififn lasts 35.
true, rice will have to give them some space, but he does play smart defense to make up for the quickness. this would be a nice matchup to stick tmo on if he were available.
Good news man. I remember Reggie saying after Rice moved to Laker a few years ago, that he is happy Rice wouldn't be bombing the Pacers. I hope Rice remembers that.
Glen saved his best game last year for the Knicks (20pts) It would be nice if he can dig up some of the old magic for Indiana.
Great news Jeff. If Rice has been cleared to play it's going to be a help no matter what his performance is tonight, we did not need Nachbar and Hawkins getting 48 mins. on opening night. Equally good news about Kenny too. Thank God this season is beginning.
Good news with KT and Rice. I was expecting them to be out longer, but looks like they're some tough cookies. I was kind of suprised with the jersey thing. I kind of liked "Yao Ming." I don't want just "Yao." But that's just me.
I don't want to sound negative.. but how often is glen going to have these little 'niggly' injuries.. i just hope rudy uses him sparingly this season..
