Should Yao Ming Come Off The Bench?

Earlier we noted a report that says Houston Rockets center Yao Ming will have severe limits and restrictions placed upon his playing time this season, as he continues his recovery from a foot injury.

Henry Abbott of TrueHoop writes that he believes Yao Ming should be used in a reserve role.

Yao Ming should come off the bench. Daryl Morey says the center will play no more than 25 minutes per game as part of his injury recovery. Morey has said in the past that Yao is literally the most effective player in the NBA while the team is in the bonus. Well, they’re never in the bonus at tip-off. Let his teammates — who have been selected in no small part for their ability to draw fouls — get some whistles going, and then bring him in like a closer.

Rockets To Limit Yao To 24 Minutes Per Game

More Rockets news from the Chronicle, this time of the *ugh* variety. Houston Rockets trainer Keith Jones told Jonathan Feigen that star center Yao Ming will play no more than 24 minutes in any given regular season game this upcoming season.

Yao will play no more than 24 minutes per game, Rockets vice president and athletic trainer Keith Jones said. There will be no exceptions. If Yao has played his 24 minutes and the Rockets have the ball and eight seconds on the clock to make up a one-point deficit, Yao will not play those eight seconds.

It’s good to be cautious, but I’m not so sure about this. Then again, I’m no doctor, either. We’ll see how this plays out as the season progresses.

Yao Ming Is Good To Go

The Associated Press reports that Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, who missed last season with a foot injury, has fully healed and is ready to go for the 2010-2011 NBA season.

"I am very excited," Yao said Tuesday. "I am just looking forward to playing a great season. I think I can count on my foot now."

...

General manager Daryl Morey says the team will be cautious with Yao and limit his minutes early in the season. Morey said Clanton's diagnosis was a "key hurdle" in Yao's road back.

"It's great news," Morey said. "It's what we anticipated, but until you get over these milestones, you're never for sure. He looks like his old self. He still has a ways to go on his wind and things like that. But it's just good to see him out there."

This is, without a doubt, the best possible news for Houston Rockets fans.

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