Time for liftoff
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It is hard to tell what Chinese fans can expect from Yao Ming in the NBA China Games, his first performances on home soil since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. After short runs during the Houston Rockets?first three preseason games in the United States, Yao's surgically repaired left foot that sidelined him for the entire 2009-2010 season seems to have held up well. However, his limited minutes and tentative performances have left fans guessing about what they will see from the big man in China.
The seven-time all-star center had three points and three rebounds in 12 minutes in his first game back from injury when the Rockets lost to the Orlando Magic, 97-88, last Wednesday.
His second appearance, in the Rockets' 90-87 victory over the San Antonio Spurs two days later, was limited to 13 minutes, in which he had five points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
Yao played more efficiently in his third appearance, finishing with 10 points and four rebounds in 12 minutes to help the Rockets crush the Indiana Pacers 126-92 on Sunday.
"It was my third run in my comeback. I tested myself in the first two and I feel better now. Good physical conditioning has given me a lot of confidence to compete a little bit harder under the basket. I think I will get better and better," Yao said after Houston defeated the Pacers.
Expectant fans may feel disappointed if the once-dominant center moves slowly in the post, but it is only reasonable for Yao to step cautiously on his way back to full fitness.
After five significant injuries during the past five years, including two surgeries and 101 games missed, Yao says he is ready to take on his make-or-break moment with the same attitude with which he began his NBA career in 2002.
"After one year away, I keep telling myself, 'Be patient, be patient'," Yao said during a media day conference in Houston on Sept 25. "This injury cannot be overcome in one day. Last night, I was thinking, 'The season is about to start'. It's time to go. Eighteen months off the court makes me like a rookie."
Teammate Shane Battier is firmly in Yao's corner and believes the center can recapture his all-star form.
"It's going to take a while for the big fellow to get in shape and get back into the flow of things," Battier said. "But he'll get there eventually, and when he does, he's going to really help us."
Yao still dreams of being the most dominant big man in the NBA, but his immediate goal will be to produce within the confines that have been placed upon him. He will play with a 24-minute-per-game limit that was mandated by Dr Tom Clanton, the former Rockets physician who performed his surgery.
Houston coach Rick Adelman is asking the public not to expect too much too soon. He anticipates Yao will play fewer than 24 minutes in the early games and likely not see substantial progress until "December or January".
"Yao is the big unknown," Adelman said. "I don't think it's fair to say he's going to play 24 minutes. It's got to be something that he feels comfortable with, and it's going to benefit our team in the long run. It's something we just have to gauge."
While Yao is still far from his best shape, Brook Lopez, the New Jersey Nets' future backbone, should provide a tough test under the rim at Wukesong Arena.
The 22-year-old center, who was chosen with the No 10 pick by the Nets in the 2008 NBA draft, averaged 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game last season.
Strong post-up ability, stable mid-range shooting and tough defense near the hoop won him a spot on the US squad for the 2010 World Basketball Championship in Turkey, though he withdrew because of health reasons.
"He is like Tim Duncan, the classy guy. You will never hear a bad word about him. He is a great player inside," Shaquille O'Neal said after Lopez scored a team-high 23 points against the Boston Celtics on Oct 9.
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