BEIJING — Houston Rockets center Yao Ming is considering quitting basketball after next season if he doesn’t fully recover from his lingering foot injury.
In comments to Chinese state media Monday, Yao sounded far from optimistic about his future.
“If the foot injury does not heal next season, I might choose to call it quits,” he said.
Yao turns 30 in September and missed last season following foot surgery. He is set to return to the Rockets after deciding not to opt out of the final year of his contract. Though he has said his recovery was going well, the Rockets have signed 7-foot veteran Brad Miller to share the work at center.
Yao, who was in China for charity events and remains wildly popular in his country, all but ruled out playing in the 2012 London Olympics.
Blazers add to staff
PORTLAND, Ore. — Longtime coaching veteran Bernie Bickerstaff has been named an assistant on Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan’s staff. McMillan also named Bob Ociepka and former Blazer Buck Williams as assistants. Bickerstaff’s coaching career started in 1973 and has included stints as a head coach in Seattle, Denver, Washington and Charlotte. He has spent the past two seasons as an assistant with the Chicago Bulls. He has also served as general manager of the Nuggets and the Bobcats.
Vasquez has ankle surgery
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies say rookie guard Greivis Vasquez underwent surgery on his right ankle to remove a bone spur. The team said in a news release Tuesday night that the surgery was successful and he is expected to return for training camp in late September.
Flynn out after hip surgery
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Jonny Flynn might miss the start of the regular season after surgery on his left hip. The Timberwolves say Flynn underwent successful surgery Tuesday in Colorado. The team says typical recovery time is three to four months.
Barnes joins Lakers
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — When Matt Barnes first texted Kobe Bryant about the possibility of joining the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant surprised him by immediately texting back with emphatic encouragement. Several dozen texts later, Barnes decided he could postpone his pursuit of a long-term NBA contract to aid Kobe’s chase for yet another championship. Barnes formally agreed to a one-year, $1.7 million deal with the Lakers on Tuesday.
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