Yao Ming isn’t going to test the water of the free agency pool, he’s going to stay with the Houston Rockets instead. According to SI.com, Houston general manager Daryl Morey said that there is no doubt in his mind that the 7-foot-6 center isn’t going to opt out of his contract in order to become a free agent.

Yao Ming may be riding the pine this season, but he'll be back with the Rockets in 2010.

“He’s very loyal, and he’s going to opt in,” Morey said in an interview Monday night with FanHouse. “He’s definitely coming back.”

Yao is currently out for the 2009 season, as he recovers from the foot surgery he had over the summer. Knowing what a decent guy he is, I’d be as shocked and surprised as Morey would be if Yao decided to jump ship.

I agree with the GM. Yao isn’t going anywhere.

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: EveryJoe

Yao To Stay With Houston

I’d have to say both statements are true.

Oden fell and broke his left kneecap on Saturday night, playing against the Houston Rockets. Since he was drafted in 2007 by the Portland Trailblazers, the 7-foot center has suffered more injuries than some 10-year veterans.

Greg Oden suffered another injury on Saturday, and will be out for the season.

Many have compared Oden to the infamous Sam Bowie,  who was selected ahead of Michael Jordan in the 1984 NBA draft. Bowie, a big man himself, suffered numerous injuries while at Portland and never developed into the great player many expected him to be.

According to ESPN.com, Brandon Roy said that Oden apologized and bowed his head as he was wheeled off the court. Apparently he felt as though he had let them down.

The injuries that Oden has sustained since he had first entered the league are not his fault. Though he  missed his rookie season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee, and sat out numerous games last season due to minor injuries, Oden was performing really well this season. He had finally found his game after losing weight and regaining confidence. Then, he was stopped short yet again because of another injury.

Greg Oden is one of the most genuine players in the NBA. He’s not arrogant or self-serving. He’s a team player, and works hard on and off the court. It would be great to see him finish a season intact, because his numbers would be outstanding.

Unfortunately for Portland, injuries have gotten in the way — and not just for Oden. The team is so shorthanded this season that coach Nate McMillan has had to participate in practice.

It’s a sad story, really. And my heart goes out to Oden.

Image: Zuma Press

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Greg Oden Is Done For The Season

The Rockets only had one starter in double figures, however that one player dominated: Aaron Brooks. The quick little point guard who tortured the Lakers last year in the playoffs was at it again. In 41 minutes of action, Brooks finished with 33 points, six rebounds and four assists. He hit 11-of-23 shots from the field, 5-of-7 three-pointers and 6-of-7 free throws.

The Lakers were led by Ron Artest’s 22 points. Andrew Bynum had 21 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks, while Kobe Bryant was limited to 18 points, three assists, three steals and four turnovers.

Though the Rockets were supposed to struggle due to being without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady to begin the season, they’ve been able to look like a legit playoff team. With a record of 6-4, Houston wins by playing great team basketball.

Even though the Lakers might be disappointed in their 7-3 start, they have to be somewhat happy considering that Pau Gasol has yet to play this season.

Aaron Brooks - Houston Rockets (Image: Zuma Press)

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Los Angeles Lakers Lose Second Straight

Even though Blair was a second round pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, he’s widely regarded as the steal of the draft. It took all of one game for Blair to prove that there might be something to that talk.

Said Blair: “I did what Coach Pop asked of me and that was to rebound. Everything else came after that.”

Blair played his college basketball at Pittsburgh and was the nation’s best rebounder on a per-minute basis. Despite being only about 6-foot-6, he has a wide, strong body that allows him to create space. If he can give the Spurs another bigman option outside of Tim Duncan and the newly acquired Antonio McDyess, the Spurs will be thrilled by their second round pick.

DeJuan Blair - San Antonio Spurs (Image: Zuma Press)

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DeJuan Blair Dominates in Debut

Stephen Jackson has a message for the Warriors (Image: Zuma Press)

Jackson point out the four teams he wants to play with — the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks or the Houston Rockets. Other than the Warriors, Jackson has also played with the New Jersey Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers in his NBA career.

Last year with the Warriors, Jackson had one of his better seasons. He averaged a career-high 20.7 points to go along with 6.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds — both also career-high marks. Jackson shot 41.4% from the field and 33.8% from beyond the three-point line.

While the Warriors could very well look to trade the 6-foot-8 swingman, Jackson’s contract is ugly and teams could be turned off by his off the court history. As the 2009-10 NBA begins, the Warriors could very well have an unhappy player on their team who is on record as saying he wants to be elsewhere.

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Stephen Jackson Wants a Trade

The 25-year-old played his college basketball at George Washington and was once upon a time a very highly regarded prospect due to his fantastic athleticism. However, his skill level has taken a while to match his ability to run and jump very well at 6-foot-10.

With the Spurs, Mensah-Bonsu averaged 5 points and 3.4 rebounds in three games. In 19 games with the Raptors, he averaged 5.1 points and 5.4 rebounds.

The Rockets likely view Mensah-Bonsu as a player who can help out at center. With Yao Ming expected by many to miss the season, Mensah-Bonsu’s size and athleticism should come in handy. His rebounding, specifically, will help him make the team and contribute if he’s given playing time.

Pops Mensah-Bonsu - Houston Rockets (Image: Zuma Press)

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Pops Mensah-Bonsu Signed by the Rockets

Yao has fractured his left foot twice. A third fracture would likely end Yao’s basketball career. In an attempt to make sure his foot won’t fracture a third time, doctors are going to conduct a bone graft and they will also lower his arch to lower the amount of stress his foot takes on during basketball activities.

While this is obviously bad news for Yao, the Rockets and fans of the Rockets, there is some hope. Zydrunas Ilgauskas had a similar procedure and it has let him play the last eight years without suffering a career-ending fracture.

Last season, Yao averaged 19.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in 33.6 minutes. He was able to play in 77 contests and shoot 54.8% from the field and 86.6% at the line.

Yao is being upbeat about the situation.

Said Yao: “I am confident that the path I have chosen is the best one. I know I have a lot of work ahead of me before I can be back on the court, and I am committed to do whatever I can to make my recovery 100 percent successful. I have full confidence I’ll play again.”

Yao Ming Surgery (Image: Zuma Press)

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Yao Ming to Undergo Surgery on Foot

Ron Artest to the Lakers (Image: Zuma Press)

The Lakers needed to look for a new small forward after Trevor Ariza decided to ask for more money than Los Angeles wanted to pay. Although Ariza played great in the NBA playoffs, the Lakers obviously think he is expendable. Enter Ron Artest.

Last season with the Rockets, Artest averaged 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He shot 40.1% from the floor, 39.9% on three-pointers and 74.8% at the line.

Prior to being traded to the Rockets last year, Artest had previously played with the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings. He entered the NBA in the 1999-2000 season as a first round draft pick out of St. John’s.

With the Lakers, Artest will likely start at small forward and give the team a tenacious defender, who can create his own shot, bang in the inside and shoot from the outside.

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Ron Artest to the Los Angeles Lakers?

However, right now nothing has been finalized. The only thing that is certain is that Yao’s foot fracture isn’t healing as expected. He’ll have second, third and fourth opinions before the Rockets decide what to do.

Sources close to the Rockets believe that the prognosis is grim. If Yao has surgery, the best case scenario has him returning around the 2010 All-Star Break. If rest or surgery doesn’t help, there’s a definite chance the 7-foot-6 center out of China would have to hang up his sneakers for good.

In this past season, the Rockets beat the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. In the second round, Houston took the eventual champions to seven games. Although the Los Angeles Lakers won, the Rockets’ future seemed to bright.

Not anymore.

Yao Ming - Career Over (Image: Zuma Press)

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Is Yao Ming’s Career Over?

How do I see these two games playing out? Here’s how I see it playing out:

Lakers beat the Rockets in Game 7
Early on, the Lakers will go on a big run — fueled by the energy from the crowd. The Rockets’ defense will slowly start to clamp down and the Rockets will hit some three-pointers to cut into the lead. By the middle of the third quarter, the Rockets will be within striking distance. But then Kobe Bryant and a few hot bench players will put the game away for the Lakers as they coast to a double-digit victory and advance to the Western Conference Finals.

Magic beat the Celtics in Game 7
This will be a game of runs. The Celtics will get up, then the Magic will make a run to get up. A common theme will be plenty of points, rebounds and blocks by Dwight Howard. Come the fourth quarter, Rashard Lewis will start heating up as the Celtics run out of gas. The Magic hit their free throws down the stretch to steal a Game 7 victory on the road.

Superman Dwight Howard Will Lead the Magic (Image: Newscom)

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Predictions: Lakers Win and Magic Win