YAO Ming hobbled out of the play-offs last week, leaving the fans questioning his fitness and the Houston Rockets needing a miracle. Yao was inspirational in the Rockets victory in the opener against the LA Lakers, scoring 28 points. But the Yao-less Rockets still managed to level the series at 2-2, raising questions over just how important he really is. "Yao has very good skill for a man his size," said one angry blogger on sportingnews.com. "[But] whatever the case may be, this Yao thing is not working as it should." Regardless, Yao is still determined to retun: "I think about next season and playing in the future," he said.