McHale wants Yao back with Rockets

HOUSTON—Yao Ming would be welcomed back to the Houston Rockets if the Chinese giant is able to continue his NBA career after his latest injury rehabilitation, new Rockets coach Kevin McHale said Friday.

In his first public comments since signing with the team, McHale said he hopes the 2.26m center is able to return.

“We would all be really happy if Yao comes back to play and I hope he can,” McHale said. “He will give it his best shot. His body is going to dictate if he can come back and play. That’s all going to be laid out in the future.”

Yao played in only five games last season and underwent surgery in January for a stress fracture in his left ankle, the latest in a series of injury setbacks that have haunted him in recent seasons.

With perennial All-Star Yao only playing a limited role, the Rockets have missed the playoffs in the past two seasons.

Yao’s contract expires with the conclusion of the season but Rockets owner Leslie Alexander has said he would like to have Yao back if Yao is able to continue his NBA career.

“Who wouldn’t like Yao Ming — a big guy who can really make shots, just a huge force in the middle?” Mchale said.
“That’s out of my control. We’ll see where that goes.”

Yao said two weeks ago that he wants to play for the Rockets but is uncertain he will play again at all because of his injuries and will likely not know his status until at least another couple of months.

“I would like to be here. Nowhere else is better than Houston for me right now,” Yao said. “The only issue is my injury. We will know more in August or September.”

McHale, 53, replaced Rick Adelman, who was not brought back after guiding the Rockets for the past four seasons.

McHale won three NBA titles in the 1980s during a 13-year career as a center for the Boston Celtics and has been an executive for the Minnesota Timberwolves over 16 seasons, twice serving in temporary part-season stints as a coach.

“They have pieces in place here that are very good pieces that can be part of a championship-type team,” McHale said. “Our goal is to make the playoffs next year. That’s just what it is and that’s going to fall on me to do it.”