Yao's retirement would not hurt NBA in China: exec

BEIJING, - The possible retirement of star NBA centre Yao Ming will not diminish the league's booming popularity in the world's most populous nation, the NBA's top executive in China has said.

Yao's contract with the Houston Rockets expires on June 30, and while the team have said they would like to have him back if he is healthy, Yao has hinted that he will retire if his injured ankle does not heal.

"I don't see (Yao's) uncertainty is having a negative impact. In fact, I think it has generated a whole lot of interest," the newly-appointed CEO of NBA China, David Shoemaker, said in comments carried by the China Daily on Tuesday.

"Yao has done amazing things to grow interest in the NBA in China. With the help of charismatic role models like him, the NBA has already built a strong foundation. I am very confident of maintaining the momentum upwards."

Ever since embarking on his NBA journey in 2002, Yao has become a mainstay of China's sporting media with nearly every game played by the Rockets broadcast live nationwide or on local networks.

Yao’s status as China’s most popular athlete and a star with global appeal has also led to lucrative endorsement deals with Nike, Pepsi, McDonald's and China Telecom.

Yao played only five games last season and underwent surgery in January for a stress fracture in his left ankle, the latest in a series of injury setbacks that have dogged him in recent seasons.

With the perennial All-Star only playing a limited role, the Rockets have missed the playoffs the past two seasons.

Former Celtic McHale agrees to navigate Rockets

HOUSTON - Former Boston Celtics stalwart Kevin McHale confirmed he has agreed to become the new coach of the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.

The long-time general manger of the Minnesota Timberwolves, following a decorated playing career with the Celtics from 1980-93, McHale accepted an undisclosed three-year contract with an option for a fourth season, according to the NBA's website (NBA.com).

McHale's announcement will end his recent stint as a television broadcaster and return him to the sidelines where he briefly stepped in for the Timberwolves' final 63 games of the 2008-09 season, along with stretch as interim coach in 2004-05.

"I had really wanted to coach again. You miss the competition when you're away from it," McHale, who was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999, told NBA.com.

"This was a chance. It came up, I talked to them. After spending time with them, I felt this is a good situation to get involved in."

The 53-year-old McHale expects to be introduced by the Rockets at a news conference in Houston on Friday.

Rick Adelman departed the Rockets days after completing his fourth season at the helm of the franchise.

The Rockets have missed the playoffs for two straight seasons and have struggled due to the repeated injuries suffered by former All-Star center Yao Ming.