by The Houston Chronicle

After a competitive 4-3 second-round playoff loss to the eventual NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in May, Rockets aficionados expected the team to be in great shape for a title run next season. The prognosis was that Yao's foot injury incurred in that series would heal over the summer, and team general manager Daryl Morey called the talented and immensely popular Chinese star the cornerstone of the team.

Instead, the fracture worsened, putting the playing career of the Shanghai native in jeopardy. Yao will now consult with medical experts to determine possible treatments for the injury.

Professional Basketball is one of the most physically punishing of sports, particularly on a 7-6, 310-pound body like Yao's. Other talented big men, including Ralph Sampson and Sam Bowie, had careers ended prematurely by leg injuries. Yao, a seven-year veteran, has now had three different fractures of the left foot and a hairline crack of the right leg.

Yao's injury likely influenced a teammate to look elsewhere for a championship ring. Putting the opportunity to join a contender over several million dollars in additional pay, flamboyant and aggressive forward Ron Artest has decided to ply his trade next year with the Lakers. The other Rocket star, forward Tracy McGrady, is recovering from knee surgery and may not join the team till January. Even with the acquisition of Laker forward Trevor Ariza, next year's prospects for a playoff contender in Houston are dimming.

General Manager Morey has drawn national attention for his astute moves in rebuilding the Rockets , but in professional sports as in other aspects of life, plain old bad luck can undercut the best laid plans.

We wish a speedy and successful recovery for Yao, who has been an exemplary representative for both his country and his adopted city.

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