http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=bucher_ric&page=yaoming-090629 I'd do the surgery now route. ...but What if he just waits a year for full recovery, maybe the Rockets snatch a free agent and a lottery pick? edit: yeah, bear in mind all of these might end yao's career like said below
Maybe I'm just misinformed, but as I understand all three have a chance of being career ending if they aren't handled with extreme care and a bit of luck.
i would forego this season and rest. this is a critical decision for yao. if he forces things he may never play again. if he rests for this year and get some treatment, he may get an extra 3-5 playing years for him.
The more aggressive treatment sounds good, but does it really mean that he'd be injury free? Even the greatest optimist would doubt it at this point. I would wait on the 2nd and 3rd opinions first.
If I was him? I would get the surgery (using different doctors) and rest for a year, no basketball. Then try and come back for the 2010/2011 season more rested than I've ever been my entire career. I'd also put a 30 minutes a game cap on playtime, and probably sit out some regular season games along the way, especially back to backs. In other words, I'd give myself every chance to stay healthy. After that, any future foot injuries would probably prompt me to immediately retire back to my Chinese mansion, where I'd spend my time shopping, making movies with Jackie Chan, playing Blizzard games, and servicing my wife.
I feel so bad for him. He loves the game so much and is so competitive. Probably the hardest worker in the NBA despite his physical limitations and to be in the position he's in right now must be just devastating for him right now.
http://sports.sina.com.cn/cba/2009-06-30/12584458592.shtml Reports from China stated that the CBA has no doubt that Yao will play in the World Championships in 2010. CBA: “但并没有提到可能影响下个赛季NBA比赛，更谈不上缺席世锦赛，相信他的伤情还没有到达这样的程度。” Translation: "The report did not mention whether the new injury will impact his new NBA season, hence we shouldn't talk about him missing the FIBA World Championships, I believe his injury has not reached such extreme circumstances." Looks like CBA will force Yao to play no matter what. I have to say I'm disappointed with the lack of human touch from the CBA
