China's NBA Star Yao Ming Retires at 30

So sad not to see him play again. Yao Ming has announced his retirement on Wednesday after a trailblazing career that made him China's best known athlete abroad and helped spur the game's global growth.

Yao Ming made the announcement during a press conference in his hometown of Shanghai after his last two seasons with the Houston Rockets were dogged by injuries. "I would like to thank you for giving me a great nine year career," he said. "Nine years ago I came to Houston as a young, skinny player and the entire city and team changed me into a grown man, not only a basketball player."

He enjoyed a high profile, but the rigors of top flight basketball proved too much for his massive frame and his career has been marked by lengthy absences from the court due to a succession of mostly foot injuries and leg injuries.

I'm really gonna miss the 7 foot 6 inches height of his, rarely would you see such height like Yao that is a great low post presence and can shoot well outside too.

Yao Ming Declared Ready To Play This Season

A good news to Houston fans and also to the NBA. Yao Ming who miss the last year season after undergoing surgery on his left foot, was cleared by team doctor to resume basketball activities. The Rockets will open training camp on Sept 25. They will travel to China in mid October for two preseason games against New Jersey. With Yao back the Rockets would be a playoff team entering this season. But I doubt would make a serious threat to the Lakers.

YAO COULD BE BACK THIS SEASON

Houston Rockets fans hold your breath..Houston Rockets center Yao Ming might be able to recover from surgery on his broken left foot and play for the Rockets this coming season.

Daryl Morey, the Rockets general manager told ESPN that Yao is improving and that his career, once thought to be in jeopardy from the injury, is no longer at risk, the sport's network website reported.

"Yao Ming is progressing well" Morey told ESPN. "I don't think that (Yao never playing again) is something that will happen, based on what I'm hearing from the doctor's.

"They do know that the bone will heal and he'll get back on it and they have not actually ruled out a return this season. I think that's less likely than likely, but they haven't ruled it out."

( I just hope Yao do return, I just hate to see a good player like Yao not being able to play. Hope he returns 100% healthy)

GREAT WALL CRUMBLING

Yao ming at 7 foot 6, is the tallest in the NBA today. Yao is reportedly suffering from a career threatening injury. Rockets center Yao Ming underwent a medical evaluation by Rockets Team Physician Dr. Tom Clanton today which revealed that the hairline fracture in Yao’s left foot has not responded to the current treatment program. A bone scan conducted Wednesday night at Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute revealed that the hairline fracture on the top of the foot has not yet healed.

The hairline fracture was discovered following the Rockets’ May 8th loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The original treatment plan called for Yao to cease all physical training and to use a walking boot in order to immobilize the foot and promote healing.

I sympathize with Yao. I think his injury was the result of not having too much rest. Forcing himself to play for the Chinese team in the 2008 Olympics in hopes for a gold medal or maybe was it China who force him to play, or the maybe the patriotism in him.

Yao will be lucky if he could play this season or maybe the next season. It would be a big blow to the rockets to loose Yao and especially for the NBA fans.