The Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen reports that Rockets physician Dr. Walter Lowe had also gone to China with general counsel Michael Goldbreg and he had an opportunity to see Yao Ming as well.  He conducted a complete examination of Yao and found no medical issues to concern the Rockets.

There had been reports of an old stress fracture in Yao's foot that had some people worried.  Yao did break his foot six years ago, but it was caused by someone stepping on it, not stress.

"Basically, it was just a thorough examination of Yao to make sure this could be a basketball decision and not one that the medical side of it would influence," Lowe said. "The Chinese medical system is fantastic. They were super in getting things done. They allowed me to make a complete examination."

Meanwhile Goldberg, now back in Houston, and Yao representative John Huizinga are optimistic about working out a compensation deal for the Sharks, which seems like the last obstacle to overcome.