Rough-looking Yao Ming raises concerns

Former NBA basketballer and China hero Yao Ming, 41, is again in the public eye but for the wrong reasons.

A video of him sending Lunar New Year greetings went viral because of his looks - unshaved, tired and worn.

One sharp-eyed person noted Yao was wearing a jacket he had back in 2014 and asked: "Should we be worried about Yao Ming given the fact he looks so tired?

And why is he still wearing the same jacket after making all that money?"

Yao was reckoned to be worth around US$160 million (HK$1.24 billion) at last count.

Some fans defended Yao and said he was being thrifty in his choice of attire, though one remarked: "I agree he really should freshen himself up a bit!" The truth is that thinking people do worry about Yao's health.

While he's stayed busy as chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association he's looked slow and clumsy, and that suggestion of a beard is likely linked to the acne that plagues him.

Weight is clearly an issue without the disciplines demanded of an NBA player.

He's topped 400 kilograms at times, and that's too much even for someone who stands 2.29 meters tall.

A series of foot problems have plagued him along with a bone problem linked to his height.