Yao

Ming

The option for 2005-06 is worth $5,594,907. The Rockets will be able to begin negotiating a long-term deal with Yao next summer.

Yao has a partially torn ligament in his elbow. He is expected to try to play in the season opener Tuesday, but the possibility remains he could miss a game for the first time in his NBA career.

Yao has averaged 4.7 fouls and 28.7 minutes in away games, three fouls and 34.6 minutes in home games. He’s still an every-week starter at center despite the Rockets’ schedule.

Yao has been getting into foul trouble, especially away from Houston, so the Rockets want to find ways to keep him in the game.

Yao was playing with the Chinese national team in the first of four U.S. exhibitions. He had 18 points and 10 rebounds in limited action. “Yao was fine. I probably should have played him more,” Chinese National team coach and Mavericks assistant Del Harris said. “Once I saw we were going to win the game, there was no use putting him back in.”

Yao should be at full strength this season and he, Ben Wallace and Mehmet Okur look to be the best centers in fantasy hoops this year. Dirk Nowitzki led the Germans to the 82-73 win and scored 27 points.

Ming is coming off foot surgery but is expected to play in his first real test since breaking his foot last season. The U.S. could be in trouble in the middle with their “small ball” roster, with Brad Miller being the only true center on the team to match up with Yao.

The Chinese Basketball Association made the announcement Monday morning. Yao is said to be about 80% healthy, but will sit out in an effort to assure he’s healthy down the line, which is actually good news for his fantasy owners. Brad Miller gets a break by the news, as he’s Team USA’s only true center.

“Endangered species are our friends,” Yao said at a news conference on Wednesday. WildAid cited U.N. estimates that more than 100 million sharks are caught annually for fins and other body parts. China is, by far, the largest importer. Ming (foot) is expected to be fully healthy for the start of training camp.

Yao played fine, scoring 24 points with 6 rebounds in 34 minutes. Something to monitor.