Yao Ming Suffering From Hypertension- may have to cut his nba career short?

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Yao Ming Suffering From Hypertension
By Bill "The Rocket Guy" Ingram
Aug 25, 2003, 08:52

The Rockets sensation may have to cut his NBA career short due to stress and hypertension.

Reports out of China today have Yao Ming suffering from severe hypertension and talking about cutting his NBA career short. The 23-year-old Yao claims that the stress of basketball and the continuous media attention is taking a toll on him, both physically and psychologically, and that his body may not be able to take the pounding for much longer.

"Every time when leaving the playground, I am out of breath with my feet heavy as leaded," Yao told China's People's Daily newspaper on Sunday. This is not the first time we've heard it either. Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich took fire for his decision to use Yao sparingly last season, often using Kelvin Cato for as much as half of games to preserve Yao's strength. Now it appears that Rudy T was justified in doing so. The most common answer from Yao when we asked how he felt last season was, "I'm tired." It makes one wonder how much longer he can really play a full NBA schedule and then return to China and play all summer without a break.

The potential that Yao Ming has shown after just one year in the NBA would certainly seem to tag him as the next big star of the league, but a situation like this could sabotage his career before that potential canbe realized. Obviously the Rockets will be keeping a close eye on this situation, and here at HOOPSWORLD we'll have additional information as it becomes available. Mike Monlux shars additional information in today's NEWS@ HOOPSWORLD Houston column.