Yao Ming Needs 10 More Games To Get Out of his Blackhole

pryuen · Mar 16, 2007

Found these 3 articles from today's sina.com and tom.com

http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2007-03-16/09242803766.shtml

http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2007-03-16/09242803791.shtml

http://nba.sports.tom.com/2007-03-16/0424/84703739.html

They all pointed to one major obstacle hindering Yao Ming's comeback: he is currently struggling in a "blackhole" trying to get back his physical strength and stamina.

In summary:

Yao Ming was completely exhausted and drained of all his energy right after the game with LA Clippers. He sat in his armchair in the changing room, half naked with a towel around his waist motionless for almost half an hour, looking pale, and breathing heavily gulping for fresh air.

Normally, right after a game, he either went straight in for his weightlifting or strength and conditioning exercise in the gym or take a shower. But tonight he could hardly moved right after his shower.

He found it extremely difficult to move, as he felt he was drained of all his energy. He even had difficulty moving around hanging his clothes or tying the shoe laces of his shoes.

He said he did not know why his physical strength seemed to have left him all of a sudden. "I don't really know why I felt so extremely exhausted. I did not have to play very long tonight, and immediately I felt something's wrong. I was sweating very abnormally tonight. Usually I sweat little by little. But tonight, it was like opening the gate of the dam. It was like sweating in a cold or fever, and immediately after the sweating, I felt all my strength gone and so empty inside."

Yao Ming was a bit dehydrated. He needed to sit and rest for almost 10 minutes after taking the interview. But when he got up to his wardrobe for his wallet, he sort of felt dizzy and had to hang onto the wardrobe for a while before he could continue moving.

Yao Ming said at the beginning of the first quarter, he still felt okay, but then things went wrong and both his legs were like lead-loaded and he could hardly run in 4Q. "Up till now, I still felt completely exhausted, and my frame seemed to break anytime now."

Yao Ming said all these while, ever since his comeback, he had not yet readjusted his conditioning. He felt he was doing okay in the first 4 games, but starting the game with Phoenix Suns, he felt everything went wrong. "Well, it was a back-to-back in first place, and the Suns are so lightning quick that I found my legs like lead-loaded in 4Q. My stamina/phsycial strength is currently my biggest problem."

Yao Ming further anlaysed that his current lack of physical strength and stamina was a direct result of taking a 70-day rest due to his knee/leg injury. "I have been away from playing for too long. My physical strength had degenerated, and my muscles relax down, and I could not yet have time to readapt/recondition. That 70-day rest had consumed all the physical strength/energy reserve I stock-piled during the summer."

Yao Ming said: "I was too optimistic that prior to my comeback, I've said I can return to competitive form and shape within 4 to 5 games. But now it seemed I need at least 10 more games to get back my competitive form and shape. Well, this needs time and patience. It is no use to say take a good rest for a few days, and your physical strength will come back to you. It requires a process. You need to accumulate that bit by bit by more training and playing in games."

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Old Man Rock · Mar 16, 2007

What is the point of killing him now if we lose the first round. The Rockets will need a miracle to catch the Jazz. Who contrary to popular belief are a lock for the 4th spot. The Jazz had won 15 of the last 17 before losing a close one to Miami. Then they had a let down game. They would have to lose 7 or 8 more games for us to have a chance. So winning at all cost specifically at the cost of damaging Yao is just stupid and will only hurt us for the playoffs.

pryuen · Mar 16, 2007

Old Man Rock said:

What is the point of killing him now if we lose the first round. The Rockets will need a miracle to catch the Jazz. Who contrary to popular belief are a lock for the 4th spot. The Jazz had won 15 of the last 17 before losing a close one to Miami. Then they had a let down game. They would have to lose 7 or 8 more games for us to have a chance. So winning at all cost specifically at the cost of damaging Yao is just stupid and will only hurt us for the playoffs.
Click to expand...

But did you read what Big Yao said ?

It is not about taking a few days' rest and his physical strength and stamina will come back to him. He needs to continue to play and train as hard as he can in the hope of getting back to his competitive old self, in terms of physical strength, speed and stamina. That requires a process, and nothing is better than playing him long minutes to accumulate his physical strength and stamina bit by bit.

There is very little time left.......17 games before the end of the regular season. And if what Big Yao is estimating correctly, it will be about time that he reconditions and readapts right after 10 games or so to be back to his 100% old dominating self. Idling him now or playing him less minutes will not help.

emjohn · Mar 16, 2007

While his great first couple of games back (esp. vs Orlando) shut me up - this is one of the reasons I was so loud about wanting to see him brought back gradually. His confidence, the readjustment in the offense, etc being other ones.

What scares me most is the idea that Yao might start feeling that he's hurting the team on the court and get passive and lose his confidence.

Tonights another toughie for him - Toronto's 5-man rotation of F/Cs that can shoot and be pesky might fluster him. This is a matchup determined by whichever side imposes their will on the other. Two weeks ago, they imposed theirs. Tonight, it's crucial that Yao imposes his.

Evan

pryuen · Mar 16, 2007

Old Man Rock said:

What is the point of killing him now if we lose the first round. The Rockets will need a miracle to catch the Jazz. Who contrary to popular belief are a lock for the 4th spot. The Jazz had won 15 of the last 17 before losing a close one to Miami. Then they had a let down game. They would have to lose 7 or 8 more games for us to have a chance. So winning at all cost specifically at the cost of damaging Yao is just stupid and will only hurt us for the playoffs.
Click to expand...

And it is no longer important about trying to catch Utah Jazz for the 4th best record in Western Conference for the home court advantage now.

It is MORE about helping Yao Ming to recondition/readjust to his competitive form and shape, improving the chemistry of the team, getting Big Yao readjusted to some of the new changes in game plan and set plays, as well as eradicating some of the inherent weaknesses of this team, and getting ready for the playoffs.

metalshred · Mar 16, 2007

I feel it will take more than just that 10 games he said. You don't get conditioned just in 20 days after resting ur feet for 70 days. But i expect Yao to feel much easier to play the game after 10 games.

whoisray · Mar 16, 2007

I gotta agree with pryuen this time. It's not about standings/seeds, its about getting Yao back to his normal self. That will only happen if he plays 35 minutes per night and gets his conditioning back.

Sextuple Double · Mar 16, 2007

He should drink some of this. It's the equivalent of Scooby Snacks and Popeye's spinach.

pryuen · Mar 16, 2007

So other than Yao Ming himself who knows his body better, his strength and conditioning coach, David Macha, could be a reliable source to tell us how is exactly Yao Ming's current conditioning.

Following is an interview of David Macha.

http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2007-03-16/09242803773.shtml

Reporter: David, how is Yao Ming's present physical strength?

David Macha: He is still recuperating (in terms of his physical strength), but he is making progress on a game per game basis and had very big improvement. He can now start every game pretty speedy, but slows down considerably afterwards. But since he has just come back and played for a few games only, it should be considered pretty good already. In terms of his physical strength, there is still alot of room for improvement. He will become better and better.

Reporter: After the game with Phoenix Sun, Yao Ming said he was extremely tired. Does it mean that there is still big problem with his physical strength and stamina ?

David Macha: I don't think we can say that, because he is still not in his best condition, and he has just returned to play competitively. Moreover playing against such fast-attacking teams like Phoenix Suns, any big players will have the same kind of physical strength and stamina problem. Yao Ming is so tall, so it is certainly not surprising that he will find it difficult playing against the Phoenix Sun.

Reporter: Yao Ming has to wear a brace on his right knee/leg when he plays. Does he need to wear that brace in competition the rest of this season?

David Macha: It is not certain yet. He will visit the doctors in the next few days. Then a decision will be made whether he will continue to wear it, or he could do without it. We cannot decide on this. We have to listen to the doctors.

Reporter: What is his weight now ?

David Macha: 302 pounds, (which is) 4 pounds lighter prior to his injury. As far as he is concerned, this weight suits him better. This makes his movements on court somewhat easier, and faster reconditioning.

Reporter: What is his fat contents?

David Macha: 7%. This is an extrmely good figure. He has not played for such a long time, and it is not easy for him to be able to maintain such fat content %. He must be credited for all the hard work that he put in during his recuperation/rehabilitation to maintain such good fat contents proportion. This will definitely helps him in a quicker recovery in his conditioning. He spent long hours on a daily basis on his conditioning, and it has not been easy for him.

Reporter: Can you tell us your guess on where Yao Ming currently stands in terms of his recovery (back to his normal self)?

David Macha: That is very difficult to say. He is contributing alot to the team on offense now. But after a few quarters of running and playing on court, he is somewhat tired. If really I have to guess, then I think he is possibly 85% of what he used to be. His play minutes will become longer, but it will be increased incrementally on a game per game basis. If he can recover (according to our current plan), I think he can sustain to play for 40 minutes per game.

Reporter: What is Yao Ming's biggest problem right now ?

David Macha: Well, his physical strength and stamina. Yao Ming himself also told me that this is the biggest and sternest test he is currently facing. This takes time. But believe me, Yao Ming's conditioning will just get better and better.
Click to expand...

tigermission1 · Mar 16, 2007

Old Man Rock said:

What is the point of killing him now if we lose the first round. The Rockets will need a miracle to catch the Jazz. Who contrary to popular belief are a lock for the 4th spot. The Jazz had won 15 of the last 17 before losing a close one to Miami. Then they had a let down game. They would have to lose 7 or 8 more games for us to have a chance. So winning at all cost specifically at the cost of damaging Yao is just stupid and will only hurt us for the playoffs.
Click to expand...

WTH are you talking about?! If Yao is not in top form and playing like his former monstrous self, we will be toast against the Jazz.

Rest? LOL! Good one.

Dr of Dunk · Mar 16, 2007

Unfortunately, it's not just a matter of Yao's conditioning, it's a matter of Yao and the rest of the team clicking after he's been out so long. That takes time. Heck I think one of his first 3 games back, he asked to go back in with the scrubs playing in the 4th qtr so he could work harder towards returning to top form.

Northside Moss · Mar 16, 2007

Reporter: What is his fat contents?
Click to expand...

Oh Sina, how I love your broken and often-hilarious english.

Deckard · Mar 16, 2007

pryuen said:

So other than Yao Ming himself who knows his body better, his strength and conditioning coach, David Macha, could be a reliable source to tell us how is exactly Yao Ming's current conditioning.

Following is an interview of David Macha.
Click to expand...

Thanks, pryuen, for the Macha interview. 302 pounds and 7% body fat... that's amazing! The big guy has been working his arse off while rehabbing, that's for sure.

blender · Mar 16, 2007

Looks to me like Yao's doing exactly what he needs to get back into game shape, and he's doing a great job at it. I can't even imagine what it would be like to go up against the Phoenix Suns after sitting out for that long. And JVG seems to be doing a good job with Yao's minutes as well.

I'm a bit worried about Yao's dislocated finger and the constant hits he's been taking on it, but other than that, things look to be on track for the big fella.

Northside Moss · Mar 16, 2007

A late props to pryuen too, you're everywhere man

...Hmm.

Also an occasion to link this I guess.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqNiSDYQ6vs&mode=related&search=

Never stop believing!

pryuen · Mar 17, 2007

Man.....77% that exact ??

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4639118.html

Yao's finger hurts

Rockets center Yao Ming, who repeatedly grabbed his right middle finger that was dislocated March 7 in Boston, often adjusting the tape, said the injury causes a minor problem, though he scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds Friday. When it seemed to bother him most, after hard fouls, he made seven of eight free throws.

"That's a little bit of a problem sometimes," Yao said. "When I get hit, get fouled, get hit hard on the fingers."

Asked how far along Yao is in his comeback, Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said: "Seventy-seven percent of the way. If you play, you have no excuses, so just play, and do the best you can, and that's what he's doing."
Click to expand...

KALIKULI · Mar 17, 2007

There's 20 something game left and Yao's conditioning will be work on time for the plaoffs.

pryuen · Mar 17, 2007

KALIKULI said:

There's 20 something game left and Yao's conditioning will be work on time for the plaoffs.
Click to expand...

Has the NBA regular season extended ??

tinsley · Mar 17, 2007

do you think thin-air training environment can help Yao?
just like what Arenas do
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15112600

Riz · Mar 17, 2007

tinsley said:

do you think thin-air training environment can help Yao?
just like what Arenas do
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15112600
Click to expand...

hey that reminds me have yall seen that new Arenas comercial?! I think it's awesome! its fews seconds about his life!

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