Yao Did All He Could To Return

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming has chosen to retire after nine NBA seasons, Yahoo Sports and the Houston Chronicle have reported, backed by league sources.

Yao’s deal had expired after this past season with the Rockets, a team in transition after missing the playoffs the last two years.

Due to numerous injuries, Yao appeared in only five contests this season after missing all of 2009-10.

Yao averaged 19 points and 9.2 rebounds during his stay in the Association.

The 30-year old center was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2002.

Kevin McHale, the team’s head coach, knew Yao coming back was strictly a matter of how his body felt, which was out of his control.

“We’d all be really happy if Yao comes back to play, and I hope he can,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said when he was introduced last month. “I think he’ll give it his best shot. His body is going to dictate if he can come back and play. That’s all going to be laid out in the future.

“But who wouldn’t like Yao Ming, a big guy who can really make shots, just a huge force in the middle? That’s out of my control. We’ll see where that goes.”

The eight-time NBA All Star and two-time second team All-NBA big man will be remembered for his heart, desire, and ability to give the Rockets hope, year after year.  We will never know what could have been with the dynamic duo of Yao and T-Mac in Houston.  Nonetheless, the era of Yao Mign was good while it lasted.  On the good side, we still have Chuck Hayes in the middle.