Sportsbook bettors remember that the Houston Rockets were just above .500 last seasons and that was without Yao Ming playing a single game. The Rockets could be vastly improved in 2010-2011 vs. the odds at the Internet sportsbook if Yao is healthy and productive. The problem for Houston is that Yao has rarely been healthy.
Sportsbook odds list Houston as 35-1 to win next year’s NBA title. The Rockets chances of competing for an NBA title really rest on the left foot of Yao Ming. If he is healthy he can make a big difference. Rarely has Yao been healthy though. Yao has even said that if his foot injury is not fully healed he could be playing his last season of basketball. The Rockets don’t seem too concerned as general manager Daryl Morey said that Yao is on pace to be in training camp and play in preseason games.
The Rockets are paying Yao a ton of money so they need to get something out of him. Yao is in the final year of his contract and will make $17.6 million dollars this season. Yao can be a force for the Rockets when he is on the court. He has not been on the court enough for Houston though. He has missed time due to injury in the last five seasons. Yao has said that he may not be the same player that he was before his injury. He is a seven-time All-Star and has averaged 19.1 points and 9.3 rebounds in his career.
Houston owner Leslie Alexander was pleased with Yao’s workouts but there is a lot of trepidation in Houston. Yao always seems to get hurt. And even though the workouts have gone well, people wonder when the next injury will happen that may end Yao’s career.
Houston was just 37-45 against the spread last season. The Rockets were led in scoring last season by Aaron Brooks who had 19.6 points per game. He also led the team in assists with 5.3 per game. Luis Scola led the team in rebounding and in field goal percentage while Trevor Ariza led the team in blocks and steals. Houston was 8th in the league last season in scoring but their defense was poor. Getting Yao back in the middle should improve a defense that was 22nd in the league in points per game.