Yao to have surgery similar to Z

[Richfield Kid]

Link

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming has elected to have extensive surgery on his fractured left foot that almost certainly eliminates his chances of playing next season but offers hope that he can resume his NBA career and not fracture the foot a career-ending third time.

After consultation with a battery of doctors, Yao, 28, has decided to undergo a bone graft to heal the existing fracture and have his arch surgically lowered to reduce the stress on his foot.

Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas had a fracture in the same part of the foot, had a similar combination of surgeries and has played the last eight seasons without suffering another fracture.

Yao has broken the foot twice, most recently last May in Game 3 of Houston's second-round playoff battle with the eventual champions, the Lakers.

It was originally hoped the fracture would heal with rest and Yao would be back for training camp, but a check-up in June revealed the fracture had not improved.

Yao spoke with Ilgauskas before making his decision and was encouraged by what Ilgauskas told him.

"I am confident that the path I have chosen is the best one," Yao said. "I know I have a lot of work ahead of me before I can be back on the court, and I am committed to do whatever I can to make my recovery 100 percent successful. I have full confidence I'll play again."

The surgery will be performed next week by Dr. Tom Clanton, one of the Rockets' team physicians. If all goes well, Yao said he could begin rehabilitation "a couple weeks" after surgery and could return to basketball activity in six months.

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So, my question is: Would you trade for Yao next off-season if his doctors give the go-ahead? I say NO. IMO, he's damaged goods and Z being the only comparable case to study, that is the smallest sample size possible. There is almost zero assurance that he won't break it again and end his career.

Thoughts?

 

[SoundBreaker]

Yao Ming will undergo surgery, out for entire 09-10 season.

Per ESPN...

Ouch...

 

[Splitz]

This really sucks for Yao and I'm not sure he is going to be able to enjoy the same kind of success with the surgery that Zydrunas has. Z was what, like 24 when he had the surgery? Hopefully he can make a full recovery and be productive for 5 years or so after this surgery. That's being optimistic as he'll be about 30 when he's able to step onto an NBA court again.


EDIT: Z was 26 when he had the surgery. It feels like it's been longer than 2001.

 

[macbdog]

Z wasn't the same after the surgery, though. Have to wonder what it will take away from Yao's game, or if it will encourage him to shed a few pounds. He is lugging around alot more weight than Z, no?

 

[blommen]

the rockets are going to have a hard time this season.

 

[rabman_gold]

Yeah. Why the fuck did it take so long for Yao to take this route? Didn't he know about Big Z's struggles?

Well, now I hope Yao can get his career back like Z did. If he can also get it together, that's going to be good as further proof for success stories when big players get stress fractures.

Seriously, I'm rooting for Yao the same way I do for Z. And Yao's a superstar version of Z, so that's pretty damn cool.

But the pain has only truly begun for Yao. He better be ready for a long recovery process. He should also be brought back slowly like Z was to acclimate himself to the game. I hope this Rockets docter is as good as the one for did Z's foot (seriously, why the team doctor for more risks? That could risk a career). I hope the Rockets don't toss him back into the fray desperately either. The Cavs sure as hell knew what to do after 6 years of this shit.

Good luck Yao.

 

[Thunder]

Haha, Max told us about Z/Yao talking quite a while ago.

 

[Wulfgar1224]

I feel bad for Yao. It is a horrible sign when a man his size has foot surgery. I hope he can come back in the 2010-11 season. It would be a real shame if he couldn't.

 

[blackmagicGTI]

Yao's a good guy, I hope he recovers as well as if not better than Z. Why can't these things happen to the Rasheed Wallaces of the NBA?

 

[Dungong]

The 2 tallest players in the league, both got the same injury, kinda strange.

 

[TheBigLeBronski]

The surgery will be performed next week by Dr. Tom Clanton, one of the Rockets' team physicians. If all goes well, Yao said he could begin rehabilitation "a couple weeks" after surgery and could return to basketball activity in six months.

Maybe Im just a bit jaded because of the experiences the Browns had last season. But if I was Yao, I would be looking at a specialist doctor to do the surgery, not an employee of the team. If the surgery is successful, Yao can still earn well over 100mil more for his career. If it were me, I'd be building a brand new hospital, and hiring the 3 best surgeons in the world to cut up my foot.

The thing about the whole Yao situation which concerns me the most, is that a year ago, China pulled him out of the NBA (in the middle of a 20+ game winning streak) and forced him to have his foot cut up so he could play in the olympics. I wonder if they didnt do that 1st surgery, or if he sat out the Olympics, would this last fracture had happened?

Anyway, hope this works out good, Yao is one of the best guys in the league, and the most important as far as the NBA sucking cash out of the chinese economy.

 

[Spencer Hawes]

Yeah. Why the fuck did it take so long for Yao to take this route? Didn't he know about Big Z's struggles?

Well, now I hope Yao can get his career back like Z did. If he can also get it together, that's going to be good as further proof for success stories when big players get stress fractures.

Seriously, I'm rooting for Yao the same way I do for Z. And Yao's a superstar version of Z, so that's pretty damn cool.

But the pain has only truly begun for Yao. He better be ready for a long recovery process. He should also be brought back slowly like Z was to acclimate himself to the game. I hope this Rockets docter is as good as the one for did Z's foot (seriously, why the team doctor for more risks? That could risk a career). I hope the Rockets don't toss him back into the fray desperately either. The Cavs sure as hell knew what to do after 6 years of this shit.

Good luck Yao.

The reason why he delayed major surgery on his foot was because of the pressure the Chinese authorities put on him to play in the summer for the National Team. The result of all that pressure and not having it treated properly in the past is the reason why his foot is all mangled up at this point. So I wouldn't blame Yao. The blame should be placed on the Chinese authorities who pressured him into playing without giving consideration to his future and current health issues.

 

[Admin´s Grandma]

I feel bad for Yao too, but not for Houston. They were a huge threat to us last few years, but now completely dismantled. Artest is gone, Yao is gone, Cavs-killer Alston isn´t there anymore. They are done, and won´t be in our way anymore.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Houston will be retooling for the next two years as Yao recovers. Great franchises seem to go through transitions like this, play some young guys for a season or two, then resurface as a force with a few old faces and plenty of young talent. Making the move for Ariza, getting much younger at the point guard position, and trading for David Anderson's rights were all moves in that direction.