Don't rush back, NBA veteran Bateer tells Yao

Menk Bateer, the first Chinese to start an NBA game, has urged his injured countryman Yao Ming not to rush back into action, advising the star Houston Rockets centre to skip the 2009-2010 season.

"He is higher and heavier than most of the NBA players and has more duties during the off-season. It's better for him to take a rest next season," he told the Oriental Sports Daily.

Yao underwent surgery in July after suffering a fracture in his left foot during a playoff game against eventual champions the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said last month that Yao was improving and that his career was no longer at risk, adding that there was a chance he could return this season.

But Bateer, who played for the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs, among others, said it would be a mistake to push Yao too hard.

"Health is the start of everything," he said.

"Take your time, don't hurry. There is nothing more important than your health. I don't want to see Yao on the court until he really feels ready for the game."

Yao played in 77 games last season, the most in four seasons after spending parts of the three prior campaigns nursing foot or leg injuries.

He has NBA career averages of 19.1 points and 9.3 rebounds a game.