June 29, 200917 yr Yao's career in jeopardy... As the NBA draft approached, the grim truth about Yao Ming’s(notes) broken left foot hung like an anvil over the Houston Rockets. The fear isn’t that he’s just lost for next season, but longer. The Rockets and Yao’s reps are frightened over his future, and the concern is the most base of all: Does Yao Ming ever play again? “The realization has hit them that this is grave,” one NBA general manager said. For now, the Rockets have privately told league peers it could be a full season before Yao might be able to return to basketball. Multiple league executives, officials close to Yao and two doctors with knowledge of the diagnoses are describing a troubling re-fracture of his navicular bone. Three pins were inserted a year ago, but the foot cracked in the playoffs and isn’t healing.
June 29, 200917 yr Wow! I've always liked Yao, just wish he was able to stay healthy. I wonder if he is in fact gone, if TMac or Artest might become available?
June 29, 200917 yr Author I have already heard rumors about Artest to the Lakers, this was before this news came out though. It looks like they are both on the table.
June 29, 200917 yr I have already heard rumors about Artest to the Lakers, this was before this news came out though. It looks like they are both on the table. As a Lakers fan, do you think Artest is better than Odom and/or Ariza?
June 29, 200917 yr As a Lakers fan, do you think Artest is better than Odom and/or Ariza? As a Lakers fan, he is better than Ariza. They need Odom back, that is a necessity. If they can sign and trade Ariza and a couple of bench players for Artest, I would love that. Artest is one of the best defenders in the NBA imo and would help the Lakers greatly. Is Artest going to be a free agent? If so, discard what I said above and I say sign Odom and Artest and let Ariza go, he was good last year, but Artest is a better player imo.
June 29, 200917 yr Author As a Lakers fan, do you think Artest is better than Odom and/or Ariza? No, I don't think he is worth the trouble and frankly they both might bring more to the table separately than Artest does. Ariza has some star potential IMO, if he learns to shot the jumper a bit more smooth and off the dribble he can be really good. I could see making an argument for him(Artest) being better than Odom because he can disappear at times. Right at this point and time he is better than Ariza yes but I wouldn't want him instead of Ariza.
June 29, 200917 yr I think they should build with Artest. He helped them a lot last year and they should try and trade T-Mac. I know Artest is probably more valuable but just my opinion.
June 29, 200917 yr The reality of being 7'6" is starting to hit Yao. It's just the unfortunate nature of being that big that you're injured very easily and it takes forever to heal.
June 30, 200917 yr Big men and foot injuries don't mix. I hope he can make it back but I keep thinking about Bill Walton.
June 30, 200917 yr Lakers with Artest? No need. He is a great shooter, and surprisingly not really that bad of a teammate, but Kobe gives you a lock down defender and Ariza I think will eventually get to a point to where he gives you more offensively than Artest. Losing Odom would be a disaster for the Lakers, IMO. Their 3 headed monster in the post is difficult to match up with. Bynum is the true pivot, Gasol has the moves in the post, and Odom is virtually a point-forward.
June 30, 200917 yr Big men and foot injuries don't mix. I hope he can make it back but I keep thinking about Bill Walton. The same problems really affected Rik Smits when he was with Indiana. Still had a good career, but struggled tremendously with his feet.
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