[Rockets.com] Yao says is toe is fine

http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Notes_Yao_says_toe_is_fine-191153-34.html

 

AUSTIN -- Despite his history of toe problems, Rockets center Yao Ming said he isn’t worried about the latest injury to his left big toe.
Yao missed his second straight practice Saturday with a bruised left toe, but is optimistic about returning to practice on Monday.

He bruised his toe during Wednesday's practice.

"It doesn’t feel bad," Yao said. "There is just a little bleeding and I'm just being careful with it to start off. I didn't feel any pain in my last two practices (with the injury)."

During the 2005-06 season, Yao missed 21 games because of a left a big toe injury and has had other issues with his toe over his career.

Yao didn't blame his shoes for his most recent toe injury.

"I used the same shoes at the world championships and didn't have any problems," Yao said.

Back to Austin?: The Rockets could be spending more time in Austin in the future.

After closing the first portion of training camp on Saturday, Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said he wouldn't mind returning to the University of Texas' Cooley Pavilion again next season.

"The practice facility at Texas is awesome, the hotel was great and the coaches here went out of there way to make it as good as we could possibly have it," Van Gundy said. "If it's up to me, certainly (I'd like to come back). (Texas coach Rick) Barnes was very hospitable in letting us use it on short notice."

Van Gundy said the advantage of using Texas' practice facility is that there are two practice courts and about 14 baskets for the team to use.

"This practice facility is what you would hope to have for a camp," Van Gundy said.

Lucas developing: Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy is impressed with the ball handling and shooting of reserve point guard John Lucas.

But calling Lucas the primary backup point guard?

Van Gundy is still determining that.

"It's too early to say whether I'm comfortable or not (with Lucas as the primary backup)," Van Gundy said. "I like him a lot. He has a high skill level and he has enthusiasm for the game. Whether he can play effectively and efficiently, no one can say that right now. But I always trust that guys who have a great love for the game will figure it out."

The Rockets coach said Lucas has been doing fine in training camp, but he's still learning how to run the offense.

"He's doing fine," Van Gundy said. "He's got to run the team better. In the summer, everything was geared towards him. They ran pick-and-roll after pick-and-roll for him. It's so much different in this setting because he's got to get the ball to other guys and play off other guys."