Yao Ming likelihood??

[Change]

What happened with Shaq this past season shouldn't discourage the Celtics going after Yao Ming fairly young at 30. Considering the limited options @ Center for next season; Why not take a flyer on Yao Ming. We have seen big men recover from a chronic foot injuries Zydrunas Ilgauskas being one. Off course this is contingent on the doctors clearance giving him the green light to resume his NBA career. The reward from a healthy Yao Ming is tremendous widely considered THE top center in the NBA few years ago. Here with the Celtics, Yao minimizes wear and tear on his body. He won't have the heavy burden of carrying a franchise like he did in Houston. A Yao Ming signing also makes for a smart business decision for the owners. He has a huge following both in the US & China.

[cman88]

IF hes healthy, he would be great for the C's much like Shaq....the problem being the big IF

we havent had the best of luck with injuries these past couple years and signing an injury prone center to backup another injury prone center(jermaine) isnt something we should take a risk on IMO..

we need to find someone who can finish around the rim and stay relatively healthy to play most of the season as the chances JO will miss some time are fairly large

[diconzo]

The problem is whatever we can offer, so can Houston. Yao seems like a loyal player so if he gets even MLE type money from Houston he will take it.

[Change]

IF hes healthy, he would be great for the C's much like Shaq....the problem being the big IF

we havent had the best of luck with injuries these past couple years and signing an injury prone center to backup another injury prone center(jermaine) isnt something we should take a risk on IMO..

we need to find someone who can finish around the rim and stay relatively healthy to play most of the season as the chances JO will miss some time are fairly large

Its a gamble. Worst case scenario Yao is roster spot #15. Best case scenario Yao splitting minutes with Jermaine 20-25minutes in the playoffs. Celtics go back to the finals.

I would do it.

[nickagneta]

Yao's foot is done. He has structural damage due to his size. Going after him would be a worse decision than going after JO and Shaq. Why pay a guy, and I really don't care how much it is, to recover all year long? They didn't do it to Leon Powe whose doctor's gave a better chance of returning to health than Yao has gotten from his doctors.

[Chief]

I'd give him the veteran min and not one penny more.

[greg_kite]

The question is, if Yao did leave Houston, would Boston be the most appealing choice?  I would think Dallas or Miami would have first dibs.

Greg Oden would be another cripple I think would be worth a gamble.

I would also have either of them sit out until April, healthy or not just so they are ready for the playoffs.

[CeltsAcumen]

I thought Yao said he was completely done if he re-injured his foot again. 

I highly doubt Yao will ever play in the NBA or professional BB again. 

[Jon]

Yao's foot is done. He has structural damage due to his size. Going after him would be a worse decision than going after JO and Shaq. Why pay a guy, and I really don't care how much it is, to recover all year long? They didn't do it to Leon Powe whose doctor's gave a better chance of returning to health than Yao has gotten from his doctors.

Well, the obvious difference is that if Yao miraculously recovered, he'd do a way more for the Celtics than Leon Powe ever would. 

However, I don't see it happening.  Boston likely won't want to commit big bucks to him, and if it was only a minimum deal, Houston would likely throw something more his way. 

[manl_lui]

IF hes healthy, he would be great for the C's much like Shaq....the problem being the big IF

we havent had the best of luck with injuries these past couple years and signing an injury prone center to backup another injury prone center(jermaine) isnt something we should take a risk on IMO..

we need to find someone who can finish around the rim and stay relatively healthy to play most of the season as the chances JO will miss some time are fairly large

thats a big IF, Yao's these past 3 years has been more injury prone than Shaq.

[greenhead85]

Yao could definitely contribute to our team if he is healthy. However, I don't think his foot will heal soon as he was just featured recently with him mentioning how motivated he is of coming back to play for his daughter's sake. In that article, it also mentions that his foot is less than 20% (not sure of the exact number but it was really low) healed. Not a good sign of progress.

[greenpride32]

If the C's are going to have any realistic shot at banner 18 next year they need a surprise impact from somewhere.  Last year it was Shaq but he didn't hold up.

Getting marginal players for the vet min or LLE are not going to be enough to put this team over the top.  We're either going to need AB to develop into a very good player soon, get lucky in the draft and get an immediate solid rotation player, or land a veteran "outcast" for cheap money; guys like Yao, AI, etc.

Yao has only played in 5 NBA games over the past 2 years.  Who know if he's been keeping in NBA shape or if it's even possible for him to do that while recovering.

[nora gretz]

We don't need Yao, we need the Phoenix Suns Medical & training staff. Just look @ what they did for Nash+Shaq+Grant Hill.
Don't be surprised if Vince has an all-star caliber type year next season 

[PosImpos]

The problem is whatever we can offer, so can Houston. Yao seems like a loyal player so if he gets even MLE type money from Houston he will take it.

I have a feeling part of the "different direction" in Houston's plans that Rick Adelman didn't like was giving up on Yao Ming.  The Rockets are in rebuilding -- doesn't make sense to give Yao money, especially when their roster is built to play up-tempo.