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This is a huge blow to the Rockets , the front office and the local Rockets Fans. We knew Yao’s foot was not in good shape with the recent news and then today came Yahoo Sports scoop that Yao could not only miss this season but his career could be in jeopardy. Rockets team physician Dr. Tom Clanton who is now setting up shop in Colorado, supported the Yahoo report in a comment to chron.com but he added they will look at all of their options and decide the best course of action.
I’m not sure I’m buying into that “career ending” theory just yet. It makes for interesting Local TV, Talk Radio and sells some newspapers but there are a few options according to one of Houston’s top pain management specialists and surgeons Dr. Pavan Grover who gave a lot of insight to KPRC Local 2 Sports today.
1 Immobilizing the foot in a boot for 6 weeks or so to see if the fracture heals
2 Bone Graft
3 Change the arch of the foot
Grover had a good point today that so far I haven’t heard from the Rockets or Dr. Clanton . Even a procedure now may not be the permanent fix. Yao has a history, he’s 7-6 ( tallest in the NBA) and with his weight you’ve got a situation that avoiding constant setbacks just may not happen.
Yao’s Navicular bone is crucial to play basketball. Doesn’t matter how tall or short you are. A damaged Navicular bone will not allow you to play the game at the level the NBA requires. Period, end of story.
Heard tonight that Yao was on a flight to Raleigh rumored to be visiting a foot specialist at Duke Medical. I also read that he’s in China right now. Either way he’s probably at wits end over this latest setback. He’s had 4 surgeries over the past 3 seasons, he’s missed nearly 90 games during this span but took a big step forward by missing only 5 this past regular season before the ender in May against the Lakers.
Stay tuned, it may be time for GM Daryl Morey to work his magic once again…. The though of no Yao, no Tracy… all of a sudden some doors and a stud or two may be wearing Rockets Red and White about a 13 months sooner that expected.
