I knew it. Look for this to be Yao's last season. He doesn't have an NBA body. His body cannot take much more punishment.
It would be a great idea to try and bring in that other center before the season starts. Just to be on the safe side.
I don't think we can go after another star center without seeing what Yao can give us. It just wouldnt make sense. If he does breakdown, we're stuck with something like this: Brooks/Lowry Martin/CBud/Taylor Ariza/Battier Scola/Patterson Miller/Hill/Hayes Still a playoff team IMO. What more would you expect when your star center ($17 mil) is out?
Usually, when someone says "doesn't have an NBA body" they mean skinny. Yao is not skinny. His 300 pound body and giant tree-trunk legs are more than adequate for the NBA. It's impossible to prove this, but ultimately I feel his injuries are the result of not enough down time or rest. And yes, his size does contribute, but its because he's too big rather than too small.
Not sure if it's bad luck. McGrady was known to have a crooked spine and various physical issues prior to joining the Rockets. Yao is 7'6. The saying "you made your bed, now lie in it" comes to mind.
I don't remember KNOWING McGrady was as fragile as he was before we traded for him. But I do remember tons of people talking about what we could expect in terms of injuries and length of career for Yao before we even drafted him.
Not knowing exactly what he said, it's hard to comment, but I don't blame him for expressing those thoughts and considering what his playing future (and life) might hold if his foot does not allow him to play up to expected standards (if at all). If the foot does not allow it, he might need to quit -- and life (and basketball) will go on. I like Yao a lot as a player and as the person of good character that I perceive him to be. But, if his career can't go on, it can't -- and the possibility has to be considered. My thoughts are that he does not want to give everyone an exaggerated sense of optimism when he knows that reality might not allow his continued play. I'll personally hope for the best, since I'd love to see Yao's basketball career continue -- but only if his play can be up to the level of good quality expected by the team and Yao himself.
I'm not down for a CP3 trade by any means, but I wouldn't mind taking Okafor and his contract if this is, indeed, Yao's curtain call. Okafor still has potential and with the Rockets training staff, he could showcase that more in H-town. We would have to give up some of our core or new guys to land him. At this point, I'd give them Jordan Hill in a deal for Okafor. Barely.
I don't take anything from this quote that is news. It's not like he's saying there is no chance his foot will heal. He is just tired of going through the rehab stages. Not a time to overreact.
everything has been good. he can participate the scrimmages. i believe cbs quoted his lines out of the content. i am not sure why he said it. there is a possibility that someone asked a question on what he is going to do if he gets injury again. in this case, the answer is very normal. i remember he said he had a thought to quit when the latest foot injury was diagnosed. now, he is targeting to resume playing at the beginning of the camp.
dam. i was hoping for at least one championship with Yao. It shouldve been with Artest playing for us. here's to praying for a miraculous recovery on Yao's foot.
