http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hv5Z1dcLtIlWqAWsZhAkSAl2j0OAD91VKDGO0 Yao Ming returns to action for China By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN – 2 hours ago HANGZHOU, China (AP) — Houston Rockets center Yao Ming played in his first game in almost six months Thursday, joining China's national team in an Olympics warmup against Serbia. Entering to huge applause from the crowd in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, Yao appeared rusty in scoring six points over seven minutes in the first half. Four of those came from free throws, helping China race to a 51-39 lead after the second quarter. Yao's appearance at the Stankovic Cup is his first game action since he suffered a stress fracture to his left foot in February, ending his NBA season and threatening his star turn as part of China's team. The injury has caused major concern among Chinese Olympic organizers expecting him to become the face of the games. Further games are scheduled against Angola and Russia. Yao returned to light training late last month after X-rays and an MRI scan taken in Houston showed his recovery was on schedule, with the foot about 80 percent healed. Such injuries usually take a year to fully heal. Xue Zhen, basketball editor for leading newspaper Titan Sports, said Yao's appearance at the games served as a massive confidence booster, even if he wasn't 100 percent. "This is Yao's Olympic mission," Xue said. "His presence is extraordinarily powerful, and the team is build around him. "Without Yao, China will become a totally different team," he said.
i'm not racist or anything but Asian women with hair long like that give me the creeps since the grudge. DAMN YOU HOLLYWOOD! ASIAN GIRLS USED TO BE HOT!
Yao looks healthy upper body strength wise now. Hopefully he can maintain that size but get more of his gracefulness back for the start of the season.
Thanks, but I didn't realize that the info was posted elsewhere. Nice pics. I was impressed with Yao's stat line after 5 months of not playing.
In a way the Olympics may be good for Yao and the Rockets. It will be like a really intense rehab before the start of the season. We won't have to worry about him not being sharp or in game shape.
Me too. I was pleasantly surprised to see him looking fit. Comments on the video: He is looks tired which is understandable,and with a lot of rough edges. I expect him to get better with more games under his belt. I wonder why he was bending his knees during the FT's. Pain or maybe lack of conditioning?
That's a pretty complete highlight vid. Yao's quickness looked good at times. That one great pass he made in the paint that ended up as a TO made me curse. Still the CNT looks improved since last I saw it.
I don't know apparently he was upset because he didnt play good... He walked off without talking to the reporters. We'll have to see... He probably had the jitters with the pressure and all...
I guess it probably is due to the higher expectations that he has from himself in addition to the pressure from the fans. All world class players feel the same way when they aren't near their best.
I always get upset with myself for playing bad when I used to play for the school team so I don't think you wouldn't feel bad for playing bad.
