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Yao's exception approved
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-10 08:11
The NBA has granted the Houston Rockets an injury exception for Yao Ming, meaning the all-star center will more than likely miss next season. The Rockets used the salary-cap exception of $5.854 million on Wednesday to sign free-agent Trevor Ariza, but according to Houston general manager Daryl Morey, the recruitment green light does not rule out Yao's return during the upcoming season. The giant from Shanghai is still consulting doctors on the appropriate treatment for the hairline fracture in his left foot, a decision on which will be made public next week. If he is able to recover in time for the season's October tip off, he is still likely to spearhead the Rockets - with Ariza by his side. "The Rockets have kept me informed of what they are doing and why," Yao said in his statement. "I support them in their efforts to make our team as good as possible." "I am optimistic about the future and I will return to playing basketball when my foot has fully healed," Yao was quoted by Xinhua News Agency as saying yesterday. "My focus is on selecting the best treatment option for my injured foot and committing myself to do what I can to ensure a complete recovery." Despite his optimism, many read the exception as an acknowledgement Yao won't be able to pound the boards for the Rockets next season. "Granting the injury exception indicates the NBA agrees with the Rockets' contention that Yao's injury will require season-ending surgery, rather than the more conservative option of immobilizing the injury again in the hope that his hairline fracture will heal without surgery," local newspaper the Houston Chronicle reported on Wednesday. Yao suffered the injury in a May 8 playoff against the Lakers. The Rockets said last week he would be sidelined indefinitely. As the Houston Chronicle has previously reported, Yao has several surgical options to choose from, including one that would use small plates, rather than the pins used last season, and a bone graft to make biomechanical alterations in an effort to first treat the injury and then stop it recurring. Discussions have been held about a more experimental procedure that would increase blood flow to the area, but it is the least likely option. Next season will be Yao's fifth consecutive season either interrupted, cut short or missed because of a bone injury. He has two seasons remaining on his contract with the Rockets. Though he was expected to exercise his right to opt out after next season, sitting it out will likely see him remain under contract at the Rockets through to the 2010-11 season. China Daily/AP
(China Daily 07/10/2009 page24) |
