Yao Gets Good News, Looks to 2010

HOUSTON - Eight weeks after major surgery on his left foot Yao Ming told FOX 26 Sports Wednesday he is encouraged by what the doctors are telling him.

He had the hard cast removed Friday and his left leg and foot were placed in a boot. Images taken of most of the bones involved in the surgery indicate he is healing properly.

"The picture looks good," Yao said. "The bones heal well. The big bone heals well. That's good news. It helps my mind.

"The key bone, (the tarsal) navicular, they will do testing later, but not that day."

The positive developments will have no bearing on the upcoming seasn. Rockets doctors have technically not ruled Yao out for the 2009-2010 season, but the team has said they expect him to be ready in time for training camp in 2010.

Yao clearly said there is no chance he will be able to play during the upcoming season.

"The answer is no," Yao said. "You don't want to rush it, because they want it to totally heal this time.

"I have been in this situation enough."

It has not been easy for Yao to accept the fact he will not be able to play the game he loves for a full year.

"Obviously I want to play basketball," Yao said. "This is my life right there, but for long term, believe me for long term, I need to slow down. That's not my style, but sometimes you have to do that."

Prior to surgery there was concern that Yao's career could have been in jeopardy. He said that is no longer an issue.

"I am able to play again," Yao said,

"In the beginning the doctor told me it could be a career-threatening injury. I think I'm not ready at that time to finish my career. I really felt lost in the first couple of weeks when they tell me.

"I think where am I going? Where is my next direction?

And when it became clear that he would be able to play again, Yao felt like he had been born again.

"That gave me almost like a second life," Yao said. "I have that feeling. One day I went back to the basketball court and it's my second life in my career."

Yao still works out three times a week, but with the heavy boot on his left leg, he is limited in what he can do.

"I'm used to keeping busy every day, practice, doing something," Yao said. "Now it's too easy. It's boring.

"It's like drinking water every day. There's no taste."

Even though the Rockets will not have their star center for the upcoming season, Yao still believes they can have a good year.

"If T-Mac (guard Tracy McGrady) comes back, if he has a healthy body, he's still one of the best guys to finish the game, " Yao said. "Also, we have (guard) Trevor (Ariza) joining us.

"His championship experience can really help us and he's talented. Also, (forward) Luis Scola, he's always stable. You have no questions about that.

"I think after last year our confidence is really (high) for this season."