Yao Ming is a big dude who is quite a presence in the middle. He’s not just huge, he actually has some finesse and basketball talent. The problem is, homeboy is always hurt.
When you are 7′ 5″, you are a big cat. And despite most of your body being in proportion, you are still putting a huge load on your knees, ankles and feet (and the floor). So, Yao told the Chinese media on Monday that if his current foot injury doesn’t heal up in a somewhat timely manner, he could choose to retire.
“If the foot injury does not heal next season, I might choose to call it quits,” he said.
Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey said that Yao should be fine. He said that the big man is “currently participating in on-court basketball workouts” and should be ready for training camp.
“Yao Ming is working diligently on his return and has consistently received positive feedback at each of his scheduled medical checkups,” Morey said.
No one is doubting that Yao is working to get back. But sometimes, the body does things that the mind and the heart have no control over. And Yao has all but said that he’s not going to play in the 2012 Olympics in London (he plays for the Chinese team).
“The chance is very small,” Yao told the Xinhua News Agency. “The foot injury will not allow me to play so many games anymore. Like I said before, I will quit the national team and the sport one day. It’s what happens to every athlete.”
If Yao does indeed retire, look for him to no longer play basketball anymore.