[Speculative article] Will Yao retire from NBA? Maybe, maybe no.

hope to see you back big yao

 

That does not justify posting a rumour on a forum with a thread title of affirmed tone either.

I made similar mistakes here before too hence I am very cautious in re-posting articles from these Chinese portals nowadays.

 

http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/27846741

Posted on: March 10, 2011 9:10 pm
Edited on: March 10, 2011 9:20 pm

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming discusses the progress of his rehabilitation from a foot injury and his desire to come back to the court. Posted byBen Golliver.

Back in December, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming suffered a stress fracture of his ankle that required season-ending surgery and threatened to end his career.

On Thursday, Yao met with media members to provide an update on his progress and to make it clear he is working towards a comeback to the court. NBA.com has video of his comments.

"I've been doing well," Yao told reporters. "Once in awhile, seeing the doctors, checking to see how things are going. I'm happy about the progress and [I'm going to] try to make it back. They said I probably need another 10 weeks before I can start running on the court. That's as far as I know."

Later, he added, "I still have very limited workouts. I cannot walk with my full weight."

Yao, a free agent this summer, said he was unable to give a firm estimate on when he might return to the court and hadn't yet thought about his future, which may or may not come with the Rockets. "Right now it's more focused on my injury. About the future, it all depends on this foot." He did say that he enjoys playing in Houston. "I like it here. I'm used to playing here. I'm really, really comfortable."

He also said it was too early to tell whether he would be the same player he has been in the past. "The foot will tell me how much I can get back," Yao said. Asked whether he would be disappointed if wasn't able to play again, Yao said: "That's a sad question, first of all. If there's a possibility that I'm not going to come back to play, I'm going to tell myself I already did everything I can."

Asked when a decision about his future might come, Yao said, "After the lockout, I guess." He then caught himself and laughed, "We're not allowed to talk about this."

As Yao was only able to appear in five games this season, the Rockets have made due with a small frontline that includes Luis Scola, Chuck Hayes and Jordan Hill. Houston also traded for project center Hasheem Thabeet at the deadline, but Rockets coach Rick Adelman has expressed concern about Thabeet's role going forward given his lack of experience. Meanwhile, the 33-33 Rockets are in the basement of the Southwest Division and on pace to miss the playoffs for the second straight season.

In other words, the Rockets still badly need a center. However, they need one now and may not be able to wait indefinitely to check on Yao's progress. Persistent injuries have kept Yao from the court for major portions of four of the last five seasons and it may be time for the Rockets to go a different direction. Yao was rumored to be on the block prior to the trade deadline, as his massive $17.7 million expiring contract could have allowed a rebuilding team to shed long-term salary committments.

The Rockets didn't move him, however, so his future, and his future in Houston, remains up in the air.

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Please don't......at least not with the Rockets. I'm done with waiting on him to be and stay healthy cuz it is NOT going to happen. That day is long gone.

 

Yao will miss you I come back hope you. Care take and slowly recover for basketball 2011 - 2012. Talent but maybe too injury prone consider money with 2nd unit. Healthy important. Many years are ahead for less time. He many talents but more injuries. To go with Yao for memories makes many happy but many questions. With future hoping, team will rebuild and Yao make contributions. Rockets must GO!!

I felt like I was taking crazy pills reading that article. I hope what I wrote was understandable. :grin:

 

More:

Chron: Yao expects to continue playing
NBA.com Video: Yao Ming Interview
Rockets.com Yao Ming Update (Interview transcript)
NBA.com Video: Leslie Alexander Interview

 

Thanks for the links.

Boss's not happy apparently.

 

repost

Les Alexander video transcript:
　

Spoiler

Yao was just talking with us. He said about 10 weeks he'll maybe be able to get on the floor and test things out. What feelings do you have about Yao now and the future?
　
Well, people always ask me, when I meet someone new, they say, you gonna have him back again? I say, if you can find me a 7'6 big man who is great and also a great person that can play for you....if he's healthy and the doctors say he can play for you, of course we want him back again.
　
[Talks about the charities]
　
...
　
What do you think about your team right now?
　
Your record speaks for yourself and that's how I feel right now. Honestly. You are what you are.
　
You feel fortunate you're still knocking on the playoff door with all that's happened this year?
　
I do feel fortunate. I'll tell you what I feel bad about. I feel bad about the 0-5 start. Aaron wasnt around, things werent aligned properly. With that 0-5 start, I think we...this team would be in the playoffs and that's what I really feel bad about.
　
What about Rick Adelman's future here?
　
At the end of the season, I sit down with Daryl and we'll talk about it. Nothings been done yet or thought about yet.
　
He has expressed ambivalence. How does that influence how you might feel?
　
What he said was about travling and that...?
　
In general. That would be the reason for it.
　
I can understand that. He lives in Portland and coming back and forth is a tough thing. That's all I can say. I cant speak for him.
　
What I meant was, if he's ambivalent, does that influence how you feel going forward?
　
Of course. Everything plays into it. Nothing that doesnt.
　
So your open minded until after the season?
　
Right.
　
Is this a difficult season for you? Started out with deep team and then all the things that have happened...
　
This is like every season. When it changes, it changes. Hopefully it'll change someday. People who dont know me come up to me and ask me, whats the biggest thing you have to overcome when owning a team. I always say one thing is injuries.
　
You mentioned record speaks for itself. As you look at Adelman, do you view it as his career, his time in Houston or..?
　
Dont understand your question.
　
You said record speaks for itself. I assume that speaks for him as well. What record though?
　
With 33-33, the West is unbelievably tough. This is a very good team but not good enough to be in the playoffs in the West. So the guys are playing hard and playing well but you're still 33-33 no matter what you wanna say.
　
That's what you'd say about Rick?
　
I say that all the time, about all the teams/coaches I've had. When you won the championship, you say they're a great team because they won the championship. That's the NBA right?
　
You say not good enough to be in the playoffs, but still a shot.
　
Exactly. Big shot. But right now they're not and that's where you have to judge it - where you are now. That's what I think really.
　
http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2011/03/10/ZOOM0002MOV-1586696/index.html