Yao encouraged by recovery, won't play in '09-'10

Encouraged by progress in his recovery from major foot surgery, Yao Ming says he will return to action - just not next season. "The (X-ray) picture looks good. The bones heal well," he said in an interview with Houston television station KRIV on Wednesday. He also said, however, that there was no chance that he will play in the 2009-10 NBA season. "The answer is no. You don't want to rush it, because they want it to totally heal this time. I have been in this situation enough," he said.