CHN – Yao looks on the bright side after another frustrating end to NBA season

HOUSTON (NBA) - China's Yao Ming is taking the latest setback in his injury-riddled career in his stride.

Houston's 7ft 6in center battled back from a stress fracture in his foot to play at last summer's Olympics.

This season, after leading the Rockets past Portland in the first round of the NBA's Western Conference play-offs, Yao was engaged in a thrilling semi-final showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers when a hairline fracture found in his left foot on Saturday brought a premature end to his campaign.

Despite having had four of his seasons either interrupted or cut short by bone injuries, Yao does not think his career will always be limited by fitness problems.

"I don’t want to go that far," Yao said.

"I think about next season and playing in the future.

"All I can do is the right training, the right rehab, and play the game the best I can and stay with it."

Rockets team physician Dr. Tom Clanton admits that Yao is always at risk of injuries when considering Yao's size, "the biomechanics of his foot" and his history of injuries.

But Clanton said: "He will get through this and be completely fine. I believe he will have a long career and play many, many more years."

Yao believes last year's injury was more worrying.

"This time is more like I sprained my ankle and something happened to it," Yao said.

"It is a small fracture on top of my bone. At least there is no need for surgery."

The Rockets surprised everyone by overcoming Yao's injury to beat Los Angeles and level their series at 2-2.

Yao will have to be a spectator the rest of the way, though.

"Missing the rest of the series (is) frustrating, but you have to be positive," Yao said.

"It’s better than last year."

Houston coach Rick Adelman says the big man has all of his sympathy.

"I feel really bad for him," Adelman said in the Houston Chronicle.

"He’s played his tail off this year, played 77 games, got us through the first round, to have this happen now.

"The good thing is in two months’ time, he’s going to be OK. That bodes well for the future for us. You got to feel for him."

FIBA