http://bleacherreport.com/ Bleacher Report - The open source sports network en-us 30 Layman Analyst <p><img class="attributed_image" src="http://bleacherreport.com/image/file/14986/feature/random_key_53634_file_ming.yao.1.jpg" br_image_id="14986" border="0" style="margin: 0px 8px 8px 0pt; float: left" /></p><p><strong><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0810379/">From the Simpsons:</a></strong></p><p><strong><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0810379/">Lisa</a></strong>: Cheer up, Dad. Did you know the Chinese use the same word for &#39;crisis&#39; as they do for &#39;opportunity&#39;? <br /> <strong><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0144657/"></a></strong></p><p><strong><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0144657/">Homer</a></strong>: Yes. Crisitunity.</p><p>I don&#39;t know how literal the above quote is (feel free to google it and refute) but in the Western Conference, it is definitely true.</p><p>You can&#39;t help but feel bad for Yao and the Rockets.&nbsp; I remember two years ago when we got tickets to the All Star Game practice sessions in Vegas.&nbsp; Yao was on crutches then, walking to mid court as KG and the rest of the gang shot at mid court.&nbsp; The man was exceptionally close to being an MVP candidate last year until his leg broke.&nbsp; Now another foot injury, especially at a time when the Rockets were Ballin Outta Control (BOC)!&nbsp;&nbsp; I think the trainers in Houston need to get him some calcium supplements.&nbsp; McGrady must be devastated as well&mdash;here comes yet another probable first round exit. </p><p>Things aren&#39;t all bad for the Rockets, however, as there is definitely an opportunity to fill Yao&#39;s role. Time for Luis Scola to show that FIBA Americas MVP game he&#39;s been forced to suppress in Yao&#39;s shadow.&nbsp; How about a 25+ year old man winning the ROY award for leading the Rockets to the playoffs?&nbsp; It&#39;s a pipe dream, and a longshot, but the opportunity is there.&nbsp; They have the ability to play well enough to get into the playoffs without Yao (but who is going to shoot their technical free throws?).</p><p>There is also opportunity for those in the race for those final Western Conference Playoff spots.&nbsp; Golden State, Dallas and Denver are circling like sharks now.&nbsp; The Rockets have one game a piece left against these teams, and 11 of their last 26 are against the current Top 9 of the Western Conference. The way the West is now, if the Rockets lose those games in addition to the occasional slip up against lesser competition, it&#39;s see you next November.</p><p>Crisitunity, indeed.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><strong><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0810379/"></a></strong> Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:56:16 -0500 http://bleacherreport.com/articles/11086-yao-ouch-broken-foot-broken-dreamsyao-mings-season-is-over http://bleacherreport.com/articles/11086-yao-ouch-broken-foot-broken-dreamsyao-mings-season-is-over http://bleacherreport.com/articles/11086-yao-ouch-broken-foot-broken-dreamsyao-mings-season-is-over NBA NBA Pacific Houston Rockets Yao Ming Austin Housto