Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Charley Rosen: Dr.Tom Winters agrees that Yao is officially a "giant"

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by dragon167, Dec 30, 2006.

Tags:

Page 1 of 8

dragon167 Contributing Member

Joined:

Nov 15, 2002

Messages:

747

Likes Received:

1

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/6317912

Now that Yao is out again, all of the experts who hedged in their predictions about Houston's chances to win a title because of injuries have been right on the mark. Is there something about Yao's freakish size that bring all of his injuries upon him, or is it just bad luck? The osteomyelitis he suffered was certainly due to a side effect of giantism. But breaking his patella? Breaking his leg? These physical problems Yao is having seems like the thumbs down from some divine source. Your opinion, please? – Rick, Houston

Since my degrees only deal with dunks, drop steps, double teams, and double screens, I certainly am unqualified to make a medical diagnosis. But my friend and fellow hoop-o-maniac, Dr. Tom Winters, is an orthopedic specialist at New England Baptist Hospital, and he agrees that Yao is officially a "giant".

One of the many problems connected with giantism (which is a disease of the pituitary gland that affects growth hormones) is the deleterious effects on soft tissue. With weakened and stretched ligaments and tendons, the extra long bones of such as Yao simply fail to get the structural support they require. Fragile bones, joint deformities, and bone infections are inevitable. As are eventual vascular difficulties.

Unfortunately, Yao's physical problems will only get worse, especially since his body is being subjected to the incredible stresses of playing professional basketball. That's why Dr. Tom believes that Yao's NBA career will ultimately be short-lived.

Could be that Yao Ming's career might be a tragic echo of another big man whose greatness was curtailed by foot and leg miseries — Bill Walton.

---------------------------

Edit: I google it and it seems gigantism is related to the levels of growth hormone. I suspect you do the test then you find out either you have the problem or not. It seems it doesnt involve any professional judgement. How can Yao all of a sudden becomes a "giant"? Weird! Hope some professionals in this board can clear things up.

#1 dragon167, Dec 30, 2006
Last edited: Dec 30, 2006

FFz Member

Joined:

Sep 15, 2006

Messages:

2,411

Likes Received:

69

wtf Rosen knows crap. Yao's height is genetic. There is nothing wrong with Yao's pituitary gland. Why hasn't Rosen been fired yet!?!??!

#2 FFz, Dec 30, 2006
Mikeylu Contributing Member

Joined:

Jul 6, 2005

Messages:

1,111

Likes Received:

19

seriuosly...both parents above 6 ft...all genetic IMO

#3 Mikeylu, Dec 30, 2006
TizzyT Member

Joined:

Jun 29, 2006

Messages:

67

Likes Received:

0

dragon167 said:

Since my degrees only deal with dunks, drop steps, double teams, and double screens, I certainly am unqualified to make a medical diagnosis.
Click to expand...

where did this idiot get his degree?

#4 TizzyT, Dec 30, 2006
Mordo Contributing Member

Joined:

Aug 30, 2003

Messages:

1,206

Likes Received:

1

Bill Walton's career was cut short because of osteoporisis. It was even worse because of a improper vegetarian diet that didn't provide proper nutrition.

#5 Mordo, Dec 30, 2006
pchan Member

Joined:

May 20, 2002

Messages:

1,550

Likes Received:

1

I wish I can add Charley Rosen to my ignore list.

#6 pchan, Dec 30, 2006
wnes Contributing Member

Joined:

Feb 19, 2003

Messages:

8,196

Likes Received:

19

What amazes me is there are still morons on this board would post Rosen's articles here.

#7 wnes, Dec 30, 2006

Mr. Clutch Contributing Member

Joined:

Nov 8, 2002

Messages:

46,550

Likes Received:

6,131

What a moron. And it's "gigantism" not "giantism."

#8 Mr. Clutch, Dec 30, 2006
SLrocket Contributing Member

Joined:

Oct 9, 2006

Messages:

1,041

Likes Received:

0

lol what a loser.

#9 SLrocket, Dec 30, 2006
aussie rocket Member

Joined:

Apr 3, 2006

Messages:

6,096

Likes Received:

201

Rosen is the MOST ANTI -ROCKET WRITER I HAVE EVER SEEN OR HEARD FROM!!

Sorry about the CAPS but seriously this guy is the worst sports journo ive come across.

his stories suck, generally lacking much of note, and he constantly is having a go at Yao and/or McGrady.

Idiot.

#10 aussie rocket, Dec 31, 2006
dragon167 Contributing Member

Joined:

Nov 15, 2002

Messages:

747

Likes Received:

1

wnes said:

What amazes me is there are still morons on this board would post Rosen's articles here.
Click to expand...

LMAO. Then it takes more than a moron to post a reply on a thrash article.

And dont forget Rosen was referring to a Doctor's opinion, unless you think he's outright lying.

#11 dragon167, Dec 31, 2006
wnes Contributing Member

Joined:

Feb 19, 2003

Messages:

8,196

Likes Received:

19

dragon167 said:

LMAO. Then it takes more than a moron to post a reply on a thrash article.

And dont forget Rosen was referring to a Doctor's opinion, unless you think he's outright lying.
Click to expand...

Disparaging a moron like you does not make one a moron, moron.

#12 wnes, Dec 31, 2006
Mack Contributing Member

Joined:

Oct 26, 1999

Messages:

1,737

Likes Received:

191

Does Yao really have "gigantism"? Is an orthopedic specialist qualified to make that diagnosis? Unlike Gheorge Muresan, who had acromegaly, I didn't think Yao underwent treatment to control an overactive pituitary gland.

Also, unlike most super-tall men, Yao's legs look normally proportioned, not stick-like like a Manute Bol, Shawn Bradley, or Chuck Nevitt. That injury to Yao was similar to the one that knocked Chuck Hayes and Shaq out of action, so I don't know if you can blame that on gigantism.

However, being that tall and heavy has got to be difficult on the human body. I fear that Yao will have more foot and leg injuries as his career progresses. Hopefully he can recover like Ilgauskus, who I thought would never be healthy after his first series of leg/foot injuries.

#13 Mack, Dec 31, 2006

stangend77 Member

Joined:

Jul 27, 2002

Messages:

475

Likes Received:

0

rosen is an idiot. besides the last 2 seasons yao has been in almost every contest since he joined the team. he missed less than 10 games his entire career before his toe problems last year(wich could happen to anyone regardless of size). this broken leg is a fluke....and it does not worry me (tracy on the other hand...). on a side note yao is tough, he walked off the floor under his own power after the break (and have any of yall seen what his toe looked like before the surgery) i am happy to have a person like this on our team. here is to yao coming back stronger than ever and another championship for the rafters.

#14 stangend77, Dec 31, 2006
m_cable Contributing Member

Joined:

Dec 12, 2002

Messages:

9,455

Likes Received:

73

Seriously, where the **** does this "Dr." get off diagnosing Yao, probably without ever having met him, and obviously never having examined him since he would have said as such. If Yao was really a "giant" it sure as hell would have come out already. Yao is perfectly proportional and gigantism has never even been hinted at. This is a totally unprofessional move by Rosen and this Dr.

#15 m_cable, Dec 31, 2006
Mr. Clutch Contributing Member

Joined:

Nov 8, 2002

Messages:

46,550

Likes Received:

6,131

Mack said:

Does Yao really have "gigantism"? Is an orthopedic specialist qualified to make that diagnosis? Unlike Gheorge Muresan, who had acromegaly, I didn't think Yao underwent treatment to control an overactive pituitary gland.

Also, unlike most super-tall men, Yao's legs look normally proportioned, not stick-like like a Manute Bol, Shawn Bradley, or Chuck Nevitt. That injury to Yao was similar to the one that knocked Chuck Hayes and Shaq out of action, so I don't know if you can blame that on gigantism.

However, being that tall and heavy has got to be difficult on the human body. I fear that Yao will have more foot and leg injuries as his career progresses. Hopefully he can recover like Ilgauskus, who I thought would never be healthy after his first series of leg/foot injuries.
Click to expand...

If we are talking about a pituitary disorder, then no he doesn't have gigantism. If he did, he would be getting treatment for it. If you define it as just being really big, then I guess he does have it.

Here is a wikipedia article on it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigantism

#16 Mr. Clutch, Dec 31, 2006
rn_xw Member

Joined:

Mar 28, 2006

Messages:

2,104

Likes Received:

28

lol at giantism
i remember from a tv show, there were 7'8, 7'9 guy who can not even walk properly. They couldn't even put their hands up because that will increase the blood pressure and cause heart problems. That is gigantism. If that is happening to Yao, then where did Yao get his 26pts and 2blks per game?
Please don't post anything stupid. It just doesn't make sense.

#17 rn_xw, Dec 31, 2006
Two Sandwiches Contributing Member

Joined:

Feb 6, 2002

Messages:

22,629

Likes Received:

14,241

When did Yao fracture his patella?

#18 Two Sandwiches, Dec 31, 2006

dragon167 Contributing Member

Joined:

Nov 15, 2002

Messages:

747

Likes Received:

1

wnes said:

Disparaging a moron like you does not make one a moron, moron.
Click to expand...

I think the morons are the one who have no ability to make an argument. Calling names is the only thing they can do. I am done with you.

#19 dragon167, Dec 31, 2006
durvasa Contributing Member

Joined:

Feb 11, 2006

Messages:

38,011

Likes Received:

15,482

I have no idea how accurate that assessment is, but even if Yao doesn't have "giantism" he's still really, really big and that historically doesn't bode well for his longevity. Are there any centers taller than 7'3 who've had long, relatively healthy careers?

#20 durvasa, Dec 31, 2006

(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Page 1 of 8

Share This Page