Houston Rockets center Yao Ming (L) sits on the bench with teammate Luis Scola (C) and head coach Rick Adelman during the fourth quarter and loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their NBA Western Conference semi-final basketball playoff in Houston, Texas May 8, 2009. Reuters Pictures 6 months ago

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming (L) sits on the bench with teammate Luis Scola (C) and head coach Rick Adelman during the fourth quarter and loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their NBA Western Conference semi-final basketball playoff in Houston, Texas May 8, 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. Argentina's Luis Scola, left, celebrates by teammate Diego Garcia after defeating Canada 88-73 in a FIBA Americas Championship bronze medal basketball game in San Juan, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009.
  7. Luis Scola (L) of Argentina steps over a fallen Joel Anthony of Canada as Jermaine Anderson recovers the ball during the first half of their men's FIBA Americas Championship bronze medal round basketball game in San Juan September 6, 2009.
  8. Argentina's Luis Scola (2L) drives a lay up past Canada's Joel Anthony during the FIBA Americas Championship basketball game for the 3rd place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 6, 2009.
  9. Canada's Joel Anthony (R) drives a lay up past Argentina's Luis Scola during the FIBA Americas Championship basketball game for the 3rd place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 6, 2009.
  10. Argentina's Luis Scola, right, goes up for a lay-up over Canada's Joel Anthony during a FIBA Americas Championship bronze medal basketball game in San Juan, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009.
  11. Argentina's Luis Scola, center, works under the net against pressure from Canada's Joel Anthony, right, and Levon Kendall at a FIBA Americas Championship bronze medal basketball game in San Juan, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.

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