HOUSTON, Texas (AFP) – Chinese giant Yao Ming has not given up hope on making a return to the NBA Houston Rockets after his latest injury setback, saying that he expects to return to on-court workouts in 10 weeks.
In remarks posted on the team's website, Yao said he will attempt to make a comeback with the Rockets after suffering a stress fracture in his left foot on November 10 in a loss at Washington and playing only five games this season.
"I will try continuing," Yao said. "A lot will depend on this foot."
Yao underwent surgery in December after a fifth consecutive season that was interrupted by bone injuries, including a major operation to reconstruct the left foot before last season.
But the latest injury was not as severe as first thought and it did not complicate the previous surgical work, meaning it was not necessarily a career-ending injury for the eight-time NBA All-Star, who was elected to the squad again this season by fans despite playing only a few minutes.
Asked if he thought he would play again, Yao said, "That's the direction."
"I believe if it's a possibility that I can't come back and play, then I would tell myself that I already did everything I can."
Yao, who still uses crutches and a protective boot around his left foot, wants to play again for the Rockets, the team with whom his contract is expiring.
"I like it here. I'm used to playing here," Yao said. "I'm comfortable, really, really comfortable to play here and I have my family here. I'm not really planning to leave."
"Right now it?s more focused on my injury and how I?m going to come back. About the future, I think it all depends on this foot."
Both Rockets owner Leslie Alexander and general manager Daryl Morey told the Houston Chronicle they want Yao back if he is ever healthy enough to return to the NBA, even though the club was planning to limit his minutes this season to reduce his risk of injury.
"I'm still in very limited workouts," Yao said. "I still cannot walk on my full weight. I have to try on the court running up and down and then see how it is going.
"In 10 weeks I can start running up and down the court a little bit. At that time the foot will tell me how much I can get back."
