UPDATE: Ok, so I was wrong. Somehow, without Yao, the Rockets are still winning. They'll make the playoffs just fine. Now how they do in the playoffs without Yao is still anyone's guess.

ORIGINAL: With the west being as competitive as it is, it is quite likely that after this impressive winning streak, Yao's injury means that the Rockets miss the playoffs. Even if they do make the playoffs, I see it as another first round out for the Rockets.

I think that the possibility of Yao not playing in the Olympics is of bigger importance than how his injury affects the Rockets and the NBA. If he is truly incapable of playing, I don't think it will be a major issue. The problem arises if Yao could play by the Olympics. I'm curious to see what happens if doctors clear him to play, but Houston tries to convince him to stay out of the Olympics.

Means nothing to numbah, for my boycott is still going...

Ming is a huge NBA star, but the Rockets are a team that won't make a difference in the Western Conference. They are likely to make the playoffs, but are just as likely to be done after the first series.

What a heartbreaking turn of events for Yao and the Rockets. They were playing so well, and finally, looking a real contender. What will be interesting to see is how China handles this. I don't think they've quite figured out if Yao is a national treasure that should be treated like property, or as a human being. They could very well overreact to this - hell, they might even cancel the upcoming Olympics where Yao was supposed to the poster boy for Chinese might.