Q: If you were coaching the Houston Rockets, what would you do to maximize the chance that Yao Ming will remain healthy for the playoffs?
— Gregg P. Frasco, Taylorsville, Utah

A: Is there anywhere to get a spare foot? Look, a guy has to play. The season means something, too, and for the Rockets to get anywhere — and there are some picking them this season to have the best record in the West — they need Yao despite that great winning streak after he was injured last winter. Yao does average a lot of minutes, more than 37 last season on 300 pounds. But he broke down after 55 games. He's missed an average of 27 games in each of the last three seasons, so if he played any less he'd be in semi-retirement. I'd probably limit his minutes some, but the Rockets aren't an elite team without him. I certainly wouldn't practice him hard, or even very much since he's a student of the game and a committed teammate. Plus, Tracy McGrady misses enough practice time for the whole team. Yao has hanging over him this season whether he returned too soon from surgery not to miss the Olympics in China. Unfortunately for the Rockets, they probably need to let him play and hope.

Q: How long can NBA commissioner David Stern let Dick Bavetta continue to officiate games? He will be 69 years old in December.
— Larry Simon, Scottsdale, Ariz.

A: As someone who turned 60 this year, I'm becoming more sympathetic to our aging working population. And as the economy crashed, you'll see more of us not wanting to move out of the way and get down to Scottsdale so fast. Bavetta is a bit too much of a showman, but he keeps in decent shape (not beating Charles Barkley in that race at the 2007 All-Star game didn't help his cause) and seems serious about the job. I see no reason at this point to force retirement on him as I doubt you believe the younger referees in the league are superior.

Q: Do you think Stephon Marbury would play better if he were on a playoff-contending team, along the lines of Randy Moss with the NFL's New England Patriots?
— Aktion, Washington, N.C.

A: No. If I were running a team, my view would be life is too short to have to put up with Stephon Marbury. His entire career has been marked by one selfish escapade after another. I see no reason to believe he's changed and as a six foot guard who doesn't defend, he's unlikely to make him for his boorish behavior with talent, like Moss can. If you acquire Marbury, you deserve what you get.

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