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September 18, 2010

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Yao to get only 24 minutes per game

Source: Agencies | September 18, 2010, Saturday | Print Edition

THE Houston Rockets' Chinese center Yao Ming will be limited to playing no more than 24 minutes in each NBA game next season as he returns from injury, the team's athletic trainer said on Thursday.

Keith Jones told the Houston Chronicle the time limit would be applied strictly and the 2.23-meter Yao would skip lots of practice sessions to limit the impact on his left foot.

"Twenty-four is his number all year," Jones was quoted as saying. "Playoffs come, things could change. We're trying to get him through April. We're trying to give him the best chance to play the whole season by limiting stress.

"Even practices, if we play on Monday and play again on Wednesday, can he practice on Tuesday? No. He'll practice, but he won't scrimmage," he said, referring to practice games.

Yao missed all of last season after suffering a fractured bone in his left foot and having an operation on the injury.

The Rockets starts their training camp on September 25 and Jones knows he faces a battle to hold the player back.

"Yao is his own worst enemy," he said. "He feels good and wants to go. We will be fighting him every day. I know we will.

To do more

"He's going to feel good. He's going to want to do more. He's going to question us. He's going to question the doctor. That's Yao. He's a competitor.

"We're just trying to reduce the stress," added Jones.

In Miami, felony marijuana charges were dropped against Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem on Thursday.

"While there was probable cause for the arrest of Udonis Haslem, the state could not prove Udonis Haslem's knowledge or possession of the cannabis beyond a reasonable doubt," prosecutors said in a written memo.

"As a result, the state attorney's office will not be able file charges."

Florida state troopers arrested Haslem and another man last month after finding marijuana in the trunk of Haslem's car.

Haslem's attorney, Eric Schwartzreich, had denied the marijuana was Haslem's and the seven-year NBA veteran had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

"We said he would be vindicated. He was vindicated. It was never Udonis Haslem's marijuana," Schwartzreich said. "We are elated and happy that this nightmare is over. We always said he was innocent."
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