Ming's Surgery put on Hold

Friday, July 3, 2009 -- when Yao Ming, the All-Star center for the Houston Rockets broke his foot, he probably didn't think that things would get so bad. When the news came that the fracture was just hairline, he must have breathed a sigh of relief. However, the picture isn't as rosy as it has been painted out to be.

According to the team doctore, Yao's hairline fracture could mean that his playing career might be under threat here. The fracture, even after surgery, could keep him out for the entire 2009-10 season and in the worst case scenario, may even bring an early end to his career.

"It hasn't been decided yet," Yao's agent, Eric Zhang, told media on Friday. "He is still in the process of group consultations of doctors holding different opinions and different plans. The result of the consultations is due within a week.

"We are still in the information gathering period," he said.

Yao sustained a hairline fracture against the Los Angeles Lakers in their playoff game on the 8th of May. The injury hadn't healed yet and there was growing reason for worry. This is not the first time that Yao would be out due to injuries. In 2004-05, Yao played 80 games in the regular season and since then, his 2008-09 season with 77 games has been his best year in terms of being free of injuries.

Yao has been out for three seasons, off and on, with injuries to his hands and feet. In 2006, he broke his right leg and missed 32 games before suffering a stress fracture in 2007-08 that required surgery and rest from 26 games.

The NBA community would be hoping and praying that they are not denied the pleasure of seeing this gentle giant on court in the future.