What does that mean to the Houston Rockets?
When Yao Ming broke his foot in the playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers, it did not seem as terrible as it is actually turning out to be for the Houston Rockets.
CrunchSports has been informed that Ming is probably going to miss the entire next year of NBA basketball as his foot goes under the knife. With the Los Angeles Lakers reloading (with one of Houston's star players nonetheless), the Rockets were not considered to have much of a chance next year anyways, but with this injury that now seems like a certainty.
To win the NBA championship the Rockets are +2500 (25/1; all odds Players Only) underdogs and that looks like it will be drifting in the shorter term here as the news spreads. If you just have to bet on the Rockets, wait until the season starts and then until they lose a few games so you get +5000 (50/1) as a price. If you're going to make a pick like that, you might as well make it worth your while.
At this time, our recommendation is to go with the Lakers to repeat. They have no shortness of desire, they are willing to spend the money to get the lineup that is needed to compete, and Phil Jackson doesn't make many mistakes.
As for the Rockets, what exactly are they losing in losing Ming?
Ming almost averaged a double-double last season in points and rebounds and still only 29 years old later this year, more of the same could reasonably have been expected.
The Rockets might be more like +3000 (30/1) just to make the NBA championship next year: +2500 (25/1) to win it is untouchable.
Trades, signings, roster changes, and injuries can affect the futures market for the NBA, even in the offseason.
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