LINK I dont think this is such a good idea...thoughts? BEIJING (Reuters) - Injured Houston Rockets center Yao Ming wants to be part of China's world championship campaign next year if he gets approval from his doctor, his representative said. Sports The 29-year-old, China's most popular sportsman, underwent surgery on a hairline fracture to his left foot in July and is almost certain to miss the whole of the 2009/10 NBA season. His inclusion in the squad for the August 28 to September 12 tournament in Turkey next year would be a major boost to a China team that has struggled without him. "Yao Ming has the will to play for the national team but it's not up to him. We have to get the permission of his doctor," the All Star's cousin Zhang Mingji, who heads up Team Yao, told the China Daily. Some commentators have blamed Yao's frequent injuries on the stress to his body brought about by playing both in the NBA and for his country. Even before his latest injury, which doctor's initially said might be career-threatening, Yao hinted he might reduce his commitments with the national team. "Whether he can join the national squad or not depends on his condition but we know he is willing to do that and we will not put him under any pressure," Hu Jiashi of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) told the paper. China have been drawn with hosts Turkey, Greece, Russia, Puerto Rico and Ivory Coast in the opening round group, from which four teams will progress -- a draw greeted with some relief in the Chinese press. "I don't share the opinion of the media, which considers it a great draw," Hu said. "At the 1996 Atlanta Games and 2004 Athens Games we were in the so-called 'group of death' but we advanced. However, when we have been in some 'good positions' we have lost." Yao was scheduled to return to China on Wednesday for Saturday's launch of the new domestic league season after he bought his old club, the Shanghai Sharks, during the close season.
I am glad he has pride for his country, but he I don't want him to come back too soon. If he does, next season may be lost as well.
As long as the doctors say no to him playing, I don't care what Yao says to the media. If the doctors give the ok though, I'm gonna be pissed.
I hope he doesn't, Im really looking forward to next season with a rested healthy Yao and the pieces that we obtain through free agency or trades...
Exactly. What's the point of saying "I won't be available to represent my country" 9 months before the tournament? That in itself would dash all hopes for the CNT. Yao's saying the right things right now.
may not be too bad... give him a bit of a warmup before the season starts. That's just before training camp and at that point he won't have been playing for over a year. As long as they didn't run him into the ground I don't see what the problem would be.
World Championships? What is that even? A qualifier? How about Landry represents Yao at the tournament and Yao can fill in for the real deal.
Nope...I'm not ok with it as a Rockets fan. If he does play, I wouldn't be surprised by another serious injury.
Its only like 4-5 games, why are you guys freaking out so much. Even still, he prob won't play, he just isn't going to come out and say it. He'll dance around it until he gets one of the docs to say he can't.
It's like one of those TMac wants to stay a Rocket. Nellie wants to keep Anthony Randolph GM X has confidence in his coach comments. It's only news if the guys says he's not doing it.
Not really concerned. It's not like Yao's going to say to the Chinese government "No, I'm not playing. period." What hopefully will happen is the doctors will continue to examine and declare he won't be ready for the world championships but ready for the 2010 NBA season.
I cast my lot with the "This statement is meaningless" crowd. I'm sure Yao would love to play any sort of basketball after being on crutches for so long, but I have every confidence that he won't return to the court one nanosecond before his timetable dictates. Even then, he'll have to pass a gauntlet of tests, imaging sessions, conferences, and votes before he'll play again.
