Yow! Ming

Devastating news for Rockets fans this week as it was announced that once again, Yao Ming has been shut down for the season with stress fractures in his left ankle. After missing all of last season following a hairline fracture in that same foot sustained in the 2008-2009 playoffs against the Lakers, the Rockets were looking to have their 7'6" big man in an effort to bounce back after missing the playoffs last season. It doesn't look like that's going to happen though. Yao has played in only 5 games this season (none since getting hurt in Washington on November 10), and now, pending a second opinion, he is looking at more surgery that could sideline him an additional 10 months. Tough break for the Rockets who are already off to a rough start at 11-15. 34 year old Brad Miller (5 starts) and 27 year old Chuck Hayes (15 starts) will look to fill Yao's shoes the rest of the way.