Shocking news: Yao out for season and playoffs
February 26th, 2008by John
I am absolutely devasted about the news. Stress fracture in his left foot. Out for the season. I can’t remember being so knocked over the head by unexpected news in the NBA — maybe back in 1991 when Magic Johnson had to retire because he contracted the HIV virus. No one saw this coming. I feel like crying.
The stress fracture didn’t occur because of a single event, but occurred over time. Yao had complained of soreness in his left foot during All-Star weekend, so the doctors did lots of tests and finally found out the reason.
I’ll have more analysis later about what happens next for the Rockets. I’m still in too much shock to collect my thoughts. What do you think? Do the Rockets have a chance now? How will they play tonight against the Wizards? Will there be a big let-down? Should they have kept Bonzi for his low-post presence as an insurance policy?
Here’s Ric Bucher’s take on video.
Update: Here are some of my thoughts since my original post above:
I think the Rockets will have to play more up-tempo without Yao, a la Phoenix before the Shaq trade. The Suns proved that formula can work, so Luis Scola and Carl Landry will definitely get more minutes. They aren’t bad offensively, but the lack of height will be a problem defensively. They will also have to rely more on the outside shot, so players like Steve Novak who weren’t getting much playing time will probably get more. Taking more outside shots, though, doesn’t bode well for big success the rest of the season. Especially if Tracy McGrady takes most of them — he doesn’t shoot well from the outside; he’ll have to attack the basket even more.
An acquisition of some sort will be made for a big man (As a side note, even though Brent Barry isn’t a big, I can’t imagine him signing with the Rockets now that the Rockets’ championship chances just took a huge hit. I’ll be shocked if Barry does become a Rocket, but maybe he will since he knows he could get more minutes. I don’t know.)
Ric Bucher mentioned Jamaal Magliore is available, but that doesn’t excite me too much even if the Rockets sign him. Obviously Dikembe Mutombo will get more minutes, but they won’t score much from down there with him in there. Chuck Hayes will also play more minutes for defensive purposes, but still no scoring there. So Scola and Landry will have to pick up the slack down low.
Can you imagine if Dikembe, after being designated as a cheerleader for his final season, dusts off the cobwebs and contributes to the Rockets winning a ring this season? That would be one of the greatest sports stories in recent history, but it’s highly unlikely.
One question I have is if Yao was in pain during All-Star weekend, couldn’t they have sped up the tests to get a prognosis before the trading deadline? That would have given them 3 or 4 days to work a deal.
February 26th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I was about to sit down to have a sandwitch when I heard the Bad…no Horrible news. I had to check your site John to confirm my fears. Its true. The Big Guy is out. Out for what I trully felt was a championship run. Im sure he must feel really bad. I wonder what happened? Ive heard that Adelman likes to push players in practice to points that are to excessive….Did that happen. I like adelman as a coach, so hopefully he did not push YAo to much. JOHN…HELP…WE need to know exactly what happened>
Jim
Jim, it wasn’t anything that Yao did. He asked the doctors if he could have prevented it, and they said no. That’s what’s a little scary. This could be a chronic thing Yao will have to deal with his entire career, which is worse.
On another note, I have postponed my rehab appointment this afternoon to be able to review and approve your comments as quickly as possible. — John
February 26th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Hey John, as usual you are already on top of things. I try to compose myself and remain collected but I think I am really just in shock. The Rockets are THE hottest team in the NBA right now. Yao has really become an anchor in their team, but worse than just losing him is all the talk about NBA that this is the injury that will cause him to decline production.
I mean what do we know about stress fractures? I read articles comparing whats happening here to Arvydas Sabonis, Rick Smits, Ilgauskas, etc. I am under the impression that this is somehow the “big man’s” injury and is highly correlated with their downfall.
Anyway, I can only hope the best for Yao. It is truly because of Yao that I want the Rockets to win. I always root for the Rockets to beat LA even though I have been a Lakers fan for the past 20 years. I guess from a selfish standpoint now, I want the Rockets to lose because I don’t believe they will make it out of the first round anyway. I’d rather them have a chance at the lottery and come back strong with Yao next year.
Sorry guys but I want the Rockets to lose now. I’m all about Yao and I want people to see the Rockets decline without him. I want everyone to see that with T Mac only, the Rockets will lose games. Yao is the most important player for this team. Get back soon Yao!!!!!!
February 26th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
This news is incredibly disappointing. My co-worker told me the news and it literally hit me like a punch to the mid section. I could not believe it. I am sad for the fans and the Rockets, but I am extremelly sad for Yao. Knowing his personality as a competitor, teammate, and genuine character, it is disheartening to imagine his frustration and saddness. I hope he can recover both emotionally and physically not only for the game of basketball, but for his personal life outside of basketball now and in the future. For anyone that has played competitive team sports, you can relate to how Yao must feel.
Now the questions are surfacing fast about the Rockets.
Trade Yao? Trade T-Mac? Get Jamal Magloire? Get Ron Artest? Lose all games left to get into lottery? Current Rockets roster is done and needs to be imploded?
All those questions will be answered sooner than later but I hope people don’t forget how much Yao has done for the city of Houston and the NBA. As hard as it is to say Yao has had some misfortunate major injuires in the last three years. He is getting older and lets face it, a 7′6 300lb man running around all year is a feat that 60 years ago people couldn’t even imagine. If these injuries become chronic, I hope we can still find comfort in what Yao has given us and his contribution to the game of basketball. I know I sound sadistic or morbid, but at this stage I can not but feel pessimistic.
Man, the sorrows of being a commited fan.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
MAN! I THINK I WON’T BE WATCHING ROCKETS GAMES ANYMORE NOW THAT YAO IS OUT FOR THE SEASON!!!
I WILL BE ROOTING FOR MY FAVORITE NBA TEAM (BEFORE YAO CAME INTO THE NBA)…THE CELTICS AGAIN!!!.
I STILL BELIEVE THE ROCKETS AND YAO WILL BE THE TEAM TO BEAT NEXT SEASON IF YAO’S INJURY IS HEALED 100%!!!
IT’S STRANGE, BUT THIS MORNING WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, I WAS THINKING THAT THE ROCKETS AND YAO WILL BE THE TEAM OF THE FUTURE…SINCE DUNCAN AND SPURS WILL BE OLD IN SEVERAL YEARS FROM NOW,…NASH, SHAQ AND THE SUNS WILL BE OLDER,…NOVITZKI, KIDD AND THE MAVS WILL BE OLDER TOO LIKE THE SUNS,…THE HORNETS WILL BE HARD TO TELL SINCE WE DO NOT KNOW IF THEY ARE FOR REAL,…BLAZERS AND SONICS ARE STILL TOO YOUNG IN SEVERAL YEARS…SO IT GETS TO LAKERS AND KOBE, BUT WE DON’T KNOW IF COACH PHIL JACKSON WILL BE BACK AFTER NEXT SEASON (HIS CONTRACT EXPIRES NEXT SEASON), …SO IT WILL BE THE ROCKETS AND YAO MING FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS TO HAVE A CHANCE TO BE THE POWER OF THE WEST AND WIN NBA CHAMPIONSHPS!!!
YAO + SCOLA + AB= 2008 ROCKETS NBA CHAMPIONS!!!…
February 26th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Amgen has a drug in Phase III clinical trial that is called denosumab. It increases bone strength significantly everywhere in the body. Although it’s not a proven drug yet, it’s been taken by thousands of people and it’s very safe, effective and easy to take (two shots over a year). The drug effect is reversible, which means that if you stop taking the drug, the bone goes back to original shape. It may be effective in bone healing, too. Maybe rockets can arrange to let Yao try the drug. I am sure it’s legal. It’s not a performance enhancing drug. It may also give Amgen a good publicity if Yao tries their product.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Man, that’s the most depressing news of the year!
I hope the Rockets can still make a run and end this season with an effort. You never know, “never underestimate the heart of a champion!”. Good luck to Yao and see him in Beijing in August!
February 26th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
WAS I THE ONLY ONE WHO SENT THE LOUDEST WARNING??????
February 26th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
DURING THE WINNING STREAK….
I TOLD YOU AND OTHER ROCKETS COMMENTATORS
MANY TIMES………
THAT YAO’S PLAY MINUTES IS A PROBLEM.
AND ASKED TO BUY HEALTH INSURANCE.
YAO IS AN WORKOHOLIC.
NO BODY WAS BUYING MY WORDS AND WARNING……
BUT I WAS ABSOLUTELY SO STUNNED BY THE NEWS.
THAT SOON…………..
I GOT TINNITUS BECAUSE I WAS TOO STRESS! MAN….
ADELMAN
ESP. YAO’S TRAINER SHOULD BE FIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!
AR
February 26th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
GIANT COLLAPSE.
PROJECT FAILURE FOR ROCKETS MANAGEMENT.
YES, EVEN ROCKETS CAN MAKE PLAYOFF,
BUT ROCKETS IS NOT AS FUN.
YAO HAS BEEN AN ICON.
************************************
JUST IMAGINE IN MARCH WE HAVE TWO BACK-TO-BACK WITHIN SEVEN DAYS?????
A MAN OF 7′10 AND 300 POUNDS???
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
GOOD THING IS YAO TO HAVE SOME TIME TO HAVE A BABY WITH YE LI, HIS WAY.
THEY CAN CREATE A STRONG YAO II.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
YAO JUST CARRIES TOO HEAVY AND HIGH EXPECTATION.
BOTH CHINA AND BUSINESS SIDE.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
I PROBABLY WON’T WATCH ROCKETS GAMES AS MUCH NOW.
SIGH……………..
a. r.
P.S. MY TRUE NAME IS YAO-MANIA
I NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR NOW.
IT’S A GOOD BREAK.
February 26th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I DIDN’T EXPECT A “CRACK” of rockets
(i mentioned in your blog comments on Feb 24)
IS
HIS STRESS FRACTURE
AND
CAME
SO
SOON.
may be i shouldn’t have said so.
AR, a superstitious man.
People, don’t blame me.
PLEASE.
February 26th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
John,
Like everyone, I too am shocked with the news, particularly when the team is playing solid basketball and could have made some noise this playoffs - we will never know. Sometimes, people will rise to the occasion when faced with adversity, so maybe his Rockets will but I would not bet my sub prime mortgaged house on that.
What this injury shows is the character of the man, who has played under immense scrutiny, biased criticism of his game and a host of people waiting for him to fail since entering the league but maintained his composure throughout. Even those analysts who criticized his low production in recent games, did not know that he was playing with pain - now they know. I wish him a speedy recovery and a stronger return in the Olympics and in Houston next year.
On a lighter side, another blogger commented on the injury - Yao “made in China”.
Take care yourself,
K
February 26th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
i am so sick to my stomach i can hardly stand it.
February 26th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
This is indeed a devastating news!! It was just like a thunderbolt. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the headline of your article. I was hoping I read it wrong. Boy, what a heartbreaking news.
I watch Houston basketball games because of Yao; now I wonder what to do.
Thinking back, when I saw Yao played so many minutes per game this season, I started to worry and wondered what would be the consequences. It really is a nightmare it ended like this.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS!!!! ARGH!!!! This definitely seemed like Rockets best chance to win the championship since Yao started. I wanted to see them go all the way. Now, I’ll still follow and root for Yao’s Rockets team, but can’t say I’ll have the same excitement. I’m totally shocked. I feel really bad for Yao since he is again going to be rehabbing in so many years. I feel even worse because this may be a chronic thing and impact his career potential. I think Rockets will still be a great team as they have been winning even when Yao has not played well during the streak, but they just don’t have the same post defense and offense they’ll need for the tight games in the playoffs to win it all. I think Yao should also do the shoulder surgery now since he will need to wait a few months to heal from the foot surgery anyway (kill 2 birds with 1 stone).
February 26th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I don’t know why some people think Yao is injury prone when all of his injuries were freak accident injuries. Yao is actually very, very tough. He was playing with this injury for a few days without complaining. His toe infection, he played through that. You think he wants surgery?! F*** NO!
Yes he’s 7′6″, 300+ pounds. But he’s not like the rest of the injury prone players that are over 7′0″. Yao improves his skills every year. I’m looking forward to see him do well in the Olympic, and continue his dominance in the paint next season in the NBA.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
I compare Yao Rocket to Challenger space shuttle. Both were working under tight schedule and early signs of hazard were simply ignored. Actually Yao probably was hiding or ignoring the signs. Trainer had a blind spot.
It’s Rockets management fault, but in retrospect it’s a system fault and epidemic. Management was fixing other pieces such as acquiring Bobby, but didn’t get a good backup for Yao. He was pretty much worn and torn out for playing too much and practicing too much. The trainer should raise redflag.
And what is called in management literature is “expectation pressure” or something. “Too big to fail”. Yao had hidden his pain for too long and the Rockets trainer should be blamed to a large extent. He logged in excessive minutes and there are so many back-to-bak games and so intense throughout the season.
Yao is no superman.
It’s a classic case.
AR
February 26th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Amgen has a drug in Phase III clinical trial that is called denosumab. It increases bone strength significantly everywhere in the body. Although it’s not a proven drug yet, it’s been taken by thousands of people and it’s very safe, effective and easy to take (two shots over a year). The drug effect is reversible, which means that if you stop taking the drug, the bone goes back to original shape. It may be effective in bone healing, too. Maybe rockets can arrange to let Yao try the drug. I am sure it’s legal. It’s not a performance enhancing drug. It may also give Amgen a good publicity if Yao tries their product.
–Liu,
If this is true, Rockets please give it a shot. I would project Rockets will get a Championship this year. Please give it a shot now!
February 26th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Un-F-en-lievable John!
Just Un-F-en-lievable!! Here I thought the Rockets best chance in a long time and ka-boom! I have a feeling this is how he is gonna be John. Every F-en year! One of the two have to go now..I don’t care….One of them has to go after the year!