Yao Ming: Will He Return To Superstar Status With the 2010 Rockets

Houston Rockets center and centerpiece Yao Ming is poised to make his return at the start of the 2010-2011 NBA season. Yao missed the entire 2009-2010 season with a foot injury, one that was so bad that Yao publicly stated it could force him to retire if it didn't get any better.

Well, the Rockets and the NBA are thankful that for now that is not the case. Yao will be back in Houston ready to assume the heart of the paint and disrupt many shots with his 7-foot-6 frame.

But after a year away from the game with a body that ages quicker than most, is Yao ready to regain his superstar status? What factors will help him get there?

Can He Stay Healthy?

Health is the obvious fact that will decide whether Yao can regain his previous form.  Health concerns are nothing new for Yao, who in addition to missing the entire 2009-2010 season, missed 61 games between the start of the 2006-2007 season and the end of the following season.

Knee and foot issues have taken away chunks of playing time and those issues may not be any easier for a 7-foot-6 man.

Regain His Touch?

A season away from the game is tough for any player.  It is even tough for a gargantuan man who already has to endure a lot of work to keep his coordination and touch for the game.  Yao's success is predicated on his ability to work the post and take advantage of his footwork.  But could that footwork suffer because of years of lower leg injuries?

How Many Minutes Will He Play?

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HOUSTON - APRIL 26: Center Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets during play against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2009 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO

That is a big question the Rockets must answer. Already Houston believes Yao is no longer the 33-37 minute per game player he was before the foot injury. Now the team and Yao must find out how many minutes he can provide per night.

Is it 30 minutes? 25? His minutes will not only determine how productive Yao can be, but how successful the Rockets can be in a more open Western Conference.

How Conditioned Is He?

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HOUSTON - APRIL 30: Center Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 30, 2009 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees tha

A year away from the game is a long time for an athlete who is expected to run sprints up and down the court all day.  Yao reportedly put on a little weight during his rehab and needs work to get back into his playing shape.  Yao will be 30 years old before the 2010-2011 NBA season begins, but for a guy with his size and the banging on his body, his legs likely feel much older than that.

How Will The Rockets Use Him?

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HOUSTON - APRIL 26: Center Joel Przybilla #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2009 in Houston, Texas. NO

That question goes back to how many minutes Yao will play per night.  If it's under 30 minutes, will Yao start? Will the Rockets prefer to bring him off the bench for spurts in each quarter to keep him fresh?

There are big man matchups in the Western Conference the Rockets need him for (Bynum, Al Jefferson, etc.). Will that be enough to sway Rockets head coach Rick Adelman to use Yao as a situational player?

How Effective Will Brad Miller Be?

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CHICAGO - APRIL 25: Brad Miller #52 of the Chicago Bulls puts up a shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 25, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cava

The Rockets signed Brad Miller as an insurance policy for Yao.  Miller comes off a season with the Bulls when he averaged 8.8 points and 4.9 rebounds in 24 minutes per night.  If he can at least reproduce those numbers, Adelman will have a better shot at platooning Miller and Yao, saving Yao's legs and getting max value out of the bench. 

If Miller can produce even more, that's even better for the Rockets who likely do not want to be pressured into playing Yao.

The Mental Side

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HOUSTON - APRIL 26: Center Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets reacts after being fouled against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2009 in Houston, T

Even Yao intimated that he does not know how he will respond to being away from the game for over a year. 

"To miss one year is a long time," Yao said. "I've never been in this situation before, and I'm getting as much information as I can about my foot, to see what's the best for me and best for the Rockets." (ESPN.com)

Everyone involved can only hope Yao's transition back to the game goes as smoothly as possible.

How Quickly Can Patterson Learn?

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NEW YORK - JUNE 24: Patrick Patterson stands with NBA Commisioner David Stern after being drafted fourteenth by The Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on June 24, 2010 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, b

The Rockets used the 14th overall pick to select Kentucky big man Patrick Patterson. Patterson, who stands 6-foot-9 and weighs 240 pounds, will be relied upon to learn the game quickly and become a possible double-double threat sooner than later.  The more Patterson can contribute in low post, the less pressure on Yao to be the sole dominating presence around the rim.