The Yao Ming Situation: What Do We Do Now?

If you are a true Houston fan, you obviously know about Yao Ming's problems with his physical well-being. Well, it only gets better with the release of Yao's decision to undergo foot surgery.

The Rockets released a statement detailing that Yao could possibly return for the '10-'11 training camp.

Hip Hip Hooray?

Of course, this couldn't have been avoided. Yao isn't to blame when he played his heart out of the Blazer series and got injured during the Lakers series. But the only thing on most ClutchFans mind's is...what now?

What do we do now that we have lost the one thing that we center our team around?

What do we do now that our current tallest signed player is only 6'9"?

Well, we took a step in the right direction by acquiring David Andersen (6'11") in a trade with Atlanta, but though this is a great grab it isn't enough. The free agent market is slimming down and big men are dwindling quickly.

Houston has to make some serious moves to get into playoff-possibility status.

1. Resign Von Wafer

This sounds like a lost cause at the moment, with Wafer feeling neglected due to Houston's enchantment with SF Trevor Ariza, but he would offer great support to our bench, and starting capability if someone on our roster gets hurt.

Tracy...

2. Free Agent Bigmen

Houston should consider making a serious play at one of the remaining big men left in the free agency pool.

Eddy Curry—Dominant young C from New York.

Drew Gooden—Seasoned vet who's played in Cleveland and San Antonio among others.

Rasho Nesterovic—Slovenian powerhouse seven-footer

Steve Novak—Just Kidding.

3. Focus on Our Strengths

A major thing that the Rockets did that took the Los Angeles Lakers to seven games was focusing on what they had. Yao was out, so we didn't give it to the paint as much. The Rockets haven't always stuck to this simple regiment before, however, so here are my guidelines for '09-'10

1. Our paint game will be mediocre. It's tough to admit since we have been dominant ever since the Year of the Yao, but it's the truth. Let's kick it out often and occasionally dish down to Landry or Hayes.

2. Tracy can still work. Don't give up on him due to lackluster past seasons. He can still make plays with the best of them. And if he wears out, we have dominant shooters (Brooks, Barry, Battier) that can back him up.

3. Trevor Ariza had potential out the wazoo. We could potentially turn him into an All Star. His quick decisions, powerful jams, and solid shot could make him, with time, one of the best in the league. We might have lost You Know Who to his former team, but he can, and will, preform better than him this season.

If the Rockets can acquire some support down low, and recognize their strengths up high, we could have another chance at dominating the Western Conference. If not, well then let's go Rockets '10-'11!