Yao Ming is working extra hard to recover from the broken foot that sidelined him for more than half of the season, according to the Houston Chronicle.

He has been working with medicine balls, weight benches, dumbbells and a reduced-gravity treadmill.

Yao has been cleared to lose his crutches and at times, remove his protective boot.

"He is so driven," conditioning coach Dave Macha said. "No question. Yao is driven to a higher standard than most guys. He pushes himself. He relishes any opportunity to work hard and make himself better. It's something I think is innate in him as an individual. He wants to get better. He wants to get stronger."