<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WwlNPhn64TA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WwlNPhn64TA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> For all the hope and people hanging on to the yao tracy experiment. The rox have one thing they should be focused on and its not waiting on 2 frail players who cant lead the rockets to a ring. Just do it already.
Yao/T-Mac return at the same time in February. Rockets go on a 25 game win streak and surge into the Playoffs. Yao/T-Mac, fresh from rest, go berserk and we win the title.
Precisely correct, hopefully this is the strategy of the team. If it isn't, I predict stormy seas ahead. The experiment is over my friends, let's move forward. It didn't work for a number of reasons, but the keys: temperament and durability. Two relatively passive, low energy players with major health problems equals a do over. Great skills, yes, wonderful people, yes, especially in Yao's case, but too many variables had to come together at just the right time and they didn't. I think we have a solid foundation of young players to build around.
I meant the same foot from the last time he had surgery when they put pins in. It hasn't been that long has it? little over a year ago maybe? This is the same foot they are talking about having surgery on right? been so confusing with all the injuries.. from Yao's toes, calf, and feet.. to Tracy's shoulders, knees, and back
It's interesting that you write this in support of the logic of Raven who is agreeing with MadMax who states that this article has no new news. And the mindset of those who think Yao's somehow magically going bye-bye unless he wishes to is feeding into their salary-cap fantasies. I don't have a problem with the cabbage or those that want to trade Battier, Scola and Hayes and sacrifice next year for the future. Nor do I have a problem with those who don't want to give Yao a max contract (though less discerning minds can't see the difference in offering him an extension now in Lesworld). Those who want Yao gone had better pray either he retires or comes back too early and is terrible (Rox fans are great!) because Les will otherwise make sure you stay pissed off for several more years. Those who are drooling about the 2010 free agents should keep this in mind as we gut the team now because there's no point in having anyone on it who's here now that would be 33 then. Move forward guys, but Yao's not going anywhere and until you realize that it's your logic that's skewed.
I have a doomsday scenario in my head where Mac and Yao return at the same time, play the games for their rehabbing and then make the Rockets good enough to be a #8 seed. Then they get swept in four by the Lakers. And they don't get a lottery pick. And then Portland trades one above us to grab the Morey diamond in the rough. And then the world collapses in on itself. ...then again, I'm an eternal pessimist.
We can only hope he stays healthy for the remainder of the season when he comes back so the Rox can trade him in the off-season. It would be crazy to offer him another max contract with his injury history.
That would be a hilarious intro video for all the Rockets games this year. Imagine Instead of a liftoff of a rocket, the explosion of a nuclear bomb representing blowing our team up (at least the stars and and older players) and rebuilding.
It is probably 'the best news' we could have heard now, but still, I doubt Yao will play again this season. It sounds very serious as DD mentioned.
that's great...i just don't see that as optimism you wouldn't have had before this article came out. because the same possibilities mentioned here...that he could have surgery and may be ready to play at some point next season...have been thrown out from the beginning on this deal...including in clanton's comments. it's not as if clanton said, "there's no way he'll play next year." there's uncertainty all the way around....which is awful if you're morey and your job is to make plans.
huh?? who of us is salivating over the 2010 free agents?? i haven't mentioned one...and frankly, think most of those big names will stay put. my concern is for the rockets...the end. not for one player...but for the rockets. i'm not interested in the team i've rooted for all my life investing in and building around a guy who absolutely can't stay healthy...who has a recurring injury, going for his THIRD foot surgery, about which doctors are throwing around the phrase "career-ending." i'm hoping the rockets are smart enough to plan otherwise. you can disagree with me all you like....and claim that my logic is skewed...but i'm just stating my opinion, there....not trying to present my case to a jury. and not trying to convince you, either.
here's your answer: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20.../06/30/yao.rockets/index.html?eref=si_writers And then there's Yao, who had surgery on the foot in April 2006 and again in March 2008. When he re-injured the same foot in the postseason series against the Lakers in May, the foot was placed in a cast. His recovery time was supposed to be eight weeks. Now, the Rockets' own team doctor says the injury could end Yao's 2009-10 hopes or possibly end his career. The Rockets are fooling themselves if they think their title dreams are intact. They have about as much chance of contending with the current roster, as they do actually finding a doctor willing to tell them Yao's going to be just fine. Longtime Houston orthopedic surgeon Kenneth R. First, who specializes in sports-related injuries, has followed the Yao saga since 2006. He called it "wishful optimism" that Yao would be able to cast the foot again, sit out a period of time and play with a cracked bone in his foot. "This is about the worst possible scenario for this franchise, let alone Yao," Dr. First said. "I don't think they're going to get 10 doctors to come to the same exact opinion. At some point, a decision has to be made here. The prognosis is poor ... the odds that Yao can avoid injury [again], are just not great." And if a third operation in barely more than a three-year span is required? "Then you get into Bill Walton-land," Dr. First said.
Morey has to do his job and salvage what's left of the team. He can't bank on Yao or Tracy returning, let alone returning at a decent level. I think we'll be trading some of our core, and unfortunately, begin rebuilding. I'll hate to see Shane, Carl or Aaron go.
I actually remember the 2006 injury. It was in Utah, and Yao walked off the court with a broken bone. I didn't think it was that serious until they announced that he would be missing the rest of that horrid season. 2008, Yao had been playing with foot pain for a while before they discovered the stress fracture. 2009, Yao continued to play that game despite having obvious pain in his foot. In all three instances, he has misjudged the severity of it. This leads me to believe that problems that arise are not diagnosed and treated early because people, including Yao, simply don't know they exist. I think that Yao should have someone continually monitor his feet throughout the season to find problems early and hopefully shorten recovery time. I would rather Yao to have missed those embarrassing losses to Washington and Memphis this year than the last games of the Lakers series.
Brooks and Landry should be part of the future. Scola,Battier,Barry should not. Its about maximizing and building on potential. Since scola,battier, and barry have plateuad on their ability, when the team is ready to do I they will be in consstant decline.
