Houston Rockets center Yao Ming (C) argues with the referee during the first half of Game 2 of their NBA Western Conference semi-final basketball playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles May 6, 2009. Reuters Pictures 6 months ago

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming (C) argues with the referee during the first half of Game 2 of their NBA Western Conference semi-final basketball playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles May 6, 2009.

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  1. Houston Rockets' Yao Ming, of China, sits on the Rockets bench during a NBA basketball game on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009 in Houston. Yao Ming is out for the season after having surgery on his left foot.
  2. A woman walks past an advertisement of China Life Insurance featuring Chinese basketball star Yao Ming and his wife Ye Li in Hong Kong August 25, 2009. China Life Insurance, the world's largest life insurer by market value, announces its 2009 interim results on Tuesday.
  3. Houston Rockets newly-signed center David Andersen of Australia, is interviewed by reporters during a news conference, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009, in Houston. The Rockets signed Andersen to a multiyear contract to help make up for the loss of Yao Ming, who is out indefinitely with a hairline fracture in his left foot.
  4. Houston Rockets newly-signed center David Andersen, of Australia, is photographed with his new jersey during a news conference, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009, in Houston. The Rockets signed Andersen to a multiyear contract to help make up for the loss of Yao Ming, who is out indefinitely with a hairline fracture in his left foot.
  5. FILE -- This is a May 1, 2009, file photo showing Barcelona's David Andersen, rear, going for the shot against Moscow's Matjaz Smodis, during a Euroleague basketball game in Berlin, Germany. The Houston Rockets have signed center David Andersen to a multiyear contract to help make up for the loss of Yao Ming.
  6. San Antonio Spurs' George Hill (3) is defended by Houston Rockets' David Anderson, of Australia, during the fourth quarter of a preseason NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.
  7. Houston Rockets' Garrett Temple (2) is defended by San Antonio Spurs' Ian Mahinmi (28) during the fourth quarter of a preseason NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.
  8. Houston Rockets' Trevor Ariza (1) is defended by San Antonio Spurs' Richard Jefferson (24) during the first quarter of a preseason NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. Houston won 99-85. Ariza scored 9 points.
  9. San Antonio Spurs' Ian Mahinmi (28) is defended by Houston Rockets' Chuck Hayes (44) during the second quarter of a preseason NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.
  10. Houston Rockets' Chuck Hayes (44) and San Antonio Spurs' Ian Mahinmi compete for a rebound during the first quarter of a preseason NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.
  11. Bria Bennett, 5, watches the Houston Rocket's "Launch Crew" perform during a pep rally at Bruce Elementary School, Monday, Sept. 21, 2009, in Houston, where Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey, CEO Tad Brown, several Rockets players and staff transformed the school into a "Rockets Red Academy" for the day. ** MANDATORY CREDIT.
  12. National Basketball Association (NBA) Commissioner David Stern speaks to media about the visiting exhibition game of the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers in Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009.
  13. National Basketball Association (NBA) Commissioner David Stern speaks to media about the visiting exhibition game of the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers in Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009.
  14. David Stern, commissioner of the National Basketball Association (NBA), speaks during a press conference in Taipei on October 8, 2009 shortly before the start of a game. Denver Nuggets were to take on the Indiana Pacers in an NBA friendly here in the first-ever NBA game played in Taiwan.
  15. David Stern (R), commissioner of the National Basketball Association (NBA) attends a press conference with Taipei Mayor Hau Long-bin in Taipei on October 8, 2009 shortly before the start of a game. Denver Nuggets were to take on the Indiana Pacers in an NBA friendly here in the first-ever NBA game played in Taiwan.
  16. David Stern (R), commissioner of the National Basketball Association (NBA) holds a basketball with Taipei Mayor Hau Long-bin as they attend a press conference in Taipei on October 8, 2009 shortly before the start of a game. Denver Nuggets were to take on the Indiana Pacers in an NBA friendly here in the first-ever NBA game played in Taiwan.

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  2. FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 8: Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots gains yards against Tylone Culver #29 of the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on November 8, 2009 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
  3. CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 8: Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals is tackled by Dawan Landry #26 of the Baltimore Ravens in their NFL game at Paul Brown Stadium November 8, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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  5. Former Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev (L) and his daughter Irina Virganskaya arrive for a Cinema For Peace Foundation gala dinner in Berlin November 8, 2009.
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  10. U.S. singer Beyonce performs (C) during a concert at the Olympic stadium in Athens November 8, 2009.
  11. ZZ Top members Dusty Hill, left, Frank Beard on drums, and Billy Gibbons perform before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway, on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, in Fort Worth, Texas.
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  13. Slovakia's Rastislav Spirko, left, and US Andy Hedlund, right, challenge for the puck during the ice hockey Germany Cup match between USA and Slovakia in the Olympic hall in Munich, southern Germany, on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. USA lost after penalty. ** Eds note: German spelling of Munich is Muenchen.
  14. Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez reacts after catching a touchdown pass during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, in Atlanta.
  15. US coach Peter Laviolette follows the Germany Cup match between USA and Slovakia in the Olympic hall in Munich, southern Germany, on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. USA lost the match after penalty. ** Eds note: German spelling of Munich is Muenchen.
  16. Iraqi Shiite Turkmen lawmaker Abbas Hasan al-Bayati , left, speaks as Iraqi Shiite Turkmen lawmaker Fawzi Akram looks on during a press conference after an Iraqi Parliament session about election law on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. Iraq's parliament Sunday night passed a long-delayed election law needed to carry out nationwide elections, a debate that has been intensely watched over fears the holdup could delay the January elections and possibly delay the planned U.S. plans to withdraw their forces.