Erik Zhang: Yao Ming Needs 3 weeks To Return to MVP Level

Too conservative. JVG said if he can play, he'll play him. I expect him to play more than 15 mins, unless the game is a blow out.

 

Erik who?!
i expect him to play 22 mins
5 in each of the first 3 quarters and 7 in the 4th

 

IMO, it is alright. Putting Yao in the active list has already been a big
threat to other teams, at least they have to prepare a plan for the time
span Yao will play. Improving yao into playing conditon step by step
will be beneficial to Rockets in the long run, as we aim at the playoff.

 

See, he won't need to play in the 4th.

 

Play him for the first half will be alright. Rest Tracy for the 4th.

 

I think it's his agent. Anyway - no one really knows how long it will take Yao to get back to form. No one....

 

Play him at the beginning

get the other team's center(s) into foul trouble

and rest him for a while before playing him sparingly when our offense hits a snag (knock on wood)

 

it's impossible to predict how long it will take him to regain his previous level but i'll say 3 weeks seems conservative. i'll say 5 games.

 

espn says he is coming back from a broken foot

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2787899

Yao to return from broken foot on Monday



Yao
HOUSTON -- Yao Ming is expected to return for the Houston Rockets on Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The 7-foot-6 center has been out since breaking his right leg on Dec. 23 and has missed the last 32 games. He was medically cleared to play by the Rockets' team doctors and moved to the active roster on Sunday.

Prior to the injury, Yao was having the best season of his career, averaging 27 points and nine rebounds. He scored more than 30 points in four of the five games before his injury.

The Rockets have struggled of late, losing three of their last four, including an embarrassing 97-74 loss to San Antonio on Saturday night.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

 

3 weeks is too long if he's already cleared to play on Monday...I'm going to say Yao Ming gets his first 20/10 game one week from now then its all smooth sailing from there.

Of course, we don't really know how ready Yao Ming is until we see him play tomorrow.. he might actually put up 20/10 tmr already..I'm anxious.

 

I expect at LEAST 20 minutes... he doesn't need to be babied back into the lineup.

He wants to play, JVG wants him to play, so play him.

 

I think Yao will play about 20 mins tomorrow! and about getting back to MVP like shape, it will take at least 5 to 6 games!!

 

Erik Zhang is not being too consertive but he is being smart.If he say Yao will be able to reclaim his MVP level of performance in one week and Yao takes two week to do it ,then poople will say Yao sucks.But by saying 3 weeks and Yao takes 2 week then those people will say Yao's performance is way way better than expected .

 

Yeah for real.

3 weeks is a little long, but don't expect 26/9 or 20/10 Yao for at least a week. I mean, there's no set time limit, but it does take a little time to ease yourself back into game shape.

I will cry tears of happiness if he drops 20/10 within a week.

 

Rockets will play 11 games within the next 3 weeks. That might either be a bit much or just about right. He is playing with a brace, and it might take him a while to get mentally and physically used to it.

Really they need him at MVP form by the end of the week, with Phoenix coming up on the 12th

 

as long as the cavs defense doesn't play him too hard, he can play 30 minutes... but i have a feeling varejao's hustle will tire out yao pretty fast.

yao will get 20/10 very soon, but it might well be at least a couple weeks before he gets 30/10 or 30/15. but i really am hoping for a 30/15 game in the first home game back, vs the nets weak front court. sweet revenge yao style on wed would be nice too

 

not to nitpick, but Eric didn't say MVP level. it's the reporter who added that.

 

max of 15 mins? no way, there's no point in bringing him back. i bet he's going to go for at least 22.

 

Wow. I mean, wow. That is one hell of a statement. But in all seriousness, Bill Russell makes Yao Ming look like Scottie Brooks. Bill Russell rules.

If Yao can return to MVP form in 3 weeks, AMAZING. However, I'm WAY skeptical of this. I say 3 months.