http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Yao_returns_for_preseason_tilt-192011-34.html Didn't see this posted anywhere. Sorry if already. HOUSTON -- After his second practice since having his left big toenail removed, Rockets center Yao Ming flashed a smile and alleged that a certain member of Houston's coaching staff stepped on his toe in Monday's workout. The coach in question -- Jeff Van Gundy -- didn't recall such an encounter, leaving a group of reporters wondering whether Yao dreamed the episode or was merely yanking their chains. The most important thing, however, was how the center felt about having someone, whether it was a coach or 7-footer, come down on his toe. "It didn't hurt at all," Yao said after practice. Now, he's ready to see how it feels in a game. Yao will return to the court on Tuesday night when the Rockets visit the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night. Despite needing to improve his conditioning and having no toenail on his left big toe, Yao anticipates playing about half of the preseason game. Yao said he was stunned about how well he felt after having surgery on the toe exactly one week ago. He hasn't had such a quick recovery with his toe in the past. "I'm surprised" Yao said. "I've had a really bad experience losing toe nails, where it took me over 10 days before it felt right. It doesn't hurt right now." Yao's return coincides with Houston's first look at the defending Western Conference champions. While the Mavericks' star trio of Dirk Nowitzki, Jerry Stackhouse and Jason Terry haven't played in the preseason, Dallas might have at least Nowitzki on the court against Houston. The German forward's presence would give Houston some indication of where it stands against their Western Conference foe, although the Rockets will still be missing Bonzi Wells (tooth/groin). Wells did not practice Monday after undergoing another root canal procedure Sunday night. "They may not play everyone and that's their choice," Yao said. "They obviously are the best team in our conference." Van Gundy didn't indicate how much Yao will play in his first preseason game. However, the coach said it's important that Yao play significant minutes in the preseason because he has so many new teammates around him. "It's important for him to play from the stand point of not just getting him out there, but getting other guys used to playing with him," Van Gundy said. "The guys have to know how to get the ball delivered to him and things of that nature."
I feel like we don't really need him in the preseason.. maybe like the last preseason game.. I want him to get as much rest as he can
Yao needs floor time with this team so they learn to play together - next we need Bonzi playing - Wednesday for the Bonz?
It sounds like Sunday for Bonzi. Ironically, it's against the Spurs, the last team he played on an NBA court...and we know how he faired against them.
Great news to hear, i would like to see him get about a quarter or so and just make sure that everything feels good
Excellent news!! Cant wait to see the whole team in action tommorrow (besides Wells), not really expecting too much from Yao, just want to see his conditioning and positioning in the post and rebounds.. So how many minutes you guys think Yao is going to get??
"WOW WOW YAO!" Glad to hear the big fella is back. Now if we can only get Wells to play some games/practices. I'm excited about this team. Our magic maker TMAC and Yao, now with a better supporting cast...... I want some tickets NOW! ...."Can I write check"? GO ROCKETS!
[CHRON] 10/17/2006 Yao in tow for game tonight http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4264146.html Yao in tow for game tonight Knowing he can stand weight of Van Gundy, center counting on a heavier test By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Rockets center Yao Ming passed the first, very unscheduled test of his nail-less big toe Monday. The real test comes tonight in Dallas. Yao went through all of practice Monday and found his conditioning to be not nearly as far off as he thought it would be after returning to the court one day earlier. He also felt no pain when coach Jeff Van Gundy backed into him, stepping directly on the toe that has caused Van Gundy and the Rockets so much concern. "Jeff stepped on my toe in the beginning of practice, and I felt all right," Yao said. "He was just backing up. I did not see him. He's pretty light." Yao said he was looking over Van Gundy and did not notice him backing off the court during a drill. Yao was so pain-free with Van Gundy momentarily standing on him that the coach did not even know it happened. Tonight, however, Yao's time on the court should be more eventful. With two weeks before the Nov. 1 start of the regular season, Yao and Tracy McGrady will be on the court together for the first time since March 8. Yao is getting his first preseason playing time, and McGrady is expected to begin increasing his time past the 18 minutes he played in each of his first two games. "Yao needs a good amount of conditioning to get back what he had," Van Gundy said. "So Yao will play. Yao — and every player — needs timing, needs rhythm, and they need it under game circumstances. I don't think Yao is different from anybody else, Tracy included." With five preseason games remaining, beginning with a back-to-back tonight in Dallas and Wednesday against the Bucks at Toyota Center, Van Gundy said he would build up the players expected to have the greatest regular-season workload for the demands ahead. In terms of conditioning, Yao said he was in better shape than he had thought on Sunday. "I feel much better today than yesterday when I told you I was out of shape after one week's rest, conditioning down," Yao said "Today I feel much, much better." Conditioning has been an issue for Yao and McGrady for different reasons, with McGrady coming off his long layoff after a back injury in March and Yao going out for nine days when his toenail was removed. "I want to get them ready to play big minutes in the regular season," Van Gundy said. "You practice; you play; you get ready to play. I think I have a good feel when guys are ready. "I think you build guys up to a certain amount of minutes." But beyond getting in regular-season shape, Yao will offer teammates a chance to get accustomed to playing with him under game conditions. "It's important from the standpoint of not only him being out there, but also other guys getting used to playing with him — where the ball is to be delivered to him, things of that nature," Van Gundy said. The Rockets are especially aware of the need to work out those rough spots now, rather than in the regular season. In the 2004-05 season, McGrady's first with the Rockets, they started 6-11. Last season, they got off to a 3-11 start, and beginning with McGrady's back spasms one game into the season, the team never completely recovered. "If you look back at our last two seasons, one we didn't make the playoffs and one we lost in Game 7 (in the 2005 first-round matchup with the Mavericks), we dug a big hole for ourselves," Yao said. "We were below .500. We don't want it to happen again. The games do not start Nov. 1. The games start right now to better prepare for them. "I believe when I play a game it will be a totally different feel. So the sooner I get back to playing, the more time I will have to adjust." The Mavericks do not share such concerns. Coming off a run to the NBA Finals and the added demands of the World Championships, Dirk Nowitzki is expected to wait until Thursday to begin his preseason play. Veterans Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse also have not played in Dallas' first three games. McGrady said the Rockets are too concerned with their own issues to worry about the Mavericks' rotation. Yao, however, was curious about the Mavericks' condition. "They haven't played yet?" Yao said. "Toenail problem? Must wear Nikes."
another thing you might want to see is how well all the new pieces play with the best center in the league. so, you want him out there, even if it's 'preason', as much as possible to mix and match and see which players get the most out of themselves and the most out of Yao playing alongside the Great Wall. this is what the preason is for. you don't want to try and start figuring all this out when the regular season starts. some players have taken a while longer to figure out just how to play and how to feed off and execute their roles with a dominate big man of the size of Yao: Sura, Alston, Steve, Cat, DA. And some have picked it up right off the bat: Glen Rice, Jon Barry, T-mac, Mo-T, Cato, even Howard. so, there's plenty to see and test. I don't want to see Yao just comming out there for 1 measly quarter..
"They haven't played yet?" Yao said. "Toenail problem? Must wear Nikes." i cant wait till this game comes on...
dont count on it. he hasnt even practised yet. he's out for at least the remainder of the pre season. mark my words.
