NBA Basketball - Yao out for Season, China Worries

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NBA Basketball - Yao out for Season, China Worries

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When it comes to injuries measuring off-the-charts, Yao Ming’s is the largest of them all. This 7-6 center not only will miss the rest of the season and postseason for the red hot Houston Rockets, but he also could miss the Olympics games for China in Beijing.

The Rockets came into the game against the Washington Wizards with an 11 game winning streak and were competing for the top spot in the West. Now, they will be tested to just make the playoffs, hoping that Tracy McGrady can remain healthy. Regardless, one would assume the odds of McGrady winning his first playoff series has dropped big time.

The timing of the injury, which requires 4 months to recover, could not have been worse. Now they have to rely on 41-year-old Dikembe Mutombo who has played sparingly all season. In addition, they just dealt away Bonzi Wells, which is not catastrophic but does not help matters.

Houston has to be thinking this is gut check time. The Rockets have two phenomenal superstars in Ming and McGrady, but also two of the most injury-prone.

My thinking is that they should test the market with Tracy McGrady. Yao is just 27 and the biggest draw in the NBA, while McGrady can’t provide the healthy consistency that a team with Yao Ming may need to soften the blow of injuries. McGrady is a great player and his value will be high. If the Rockets could get a couple guys for him, a guy at his position and maybe another big man, than they will be in better shape for these reoccurring situations, and thus improve their odds.

As for the Beijing Olympics, Ming should be back in time. Yah is quoted as saying, “If I cannot play in the Olympics for my country this time, it will be the biggest loss in my career to right now.” That’s a strong statement but the truth; the NBA is important but does not compare to Ming’s importance to China.

The Beijing Olympics start in about 5 ½ months, so if Yao Ming recovers in his 4 month estimate, he’ll have plenty of time to get ready.

But all in all, I see this being more devastating for the Rockets than anyone else. China won’t win a gold, silver or bronze with 2 Yaos, let alone 1. But the Rockets had a decent chance in a tough Western Conference to finish on top. For a team with continued disappointment since Hakeem Olajuwon laced up with Sam Cassel.

Where they go from here will be interesting. On one hand, they have one of the best teams when healthy. On the other hand, they are never completely healthy. You can do the math but to me something never seems to equate in Houston.