Yao Ming Retires

[Martti.]

It's not just preference, it's that there's none available.

[The X]

Sabonis was a pure joy to watch. Sabonis, Rik Smits type of players I think can be said that they were pure centers with quality. Today I have a feeling the teams prefer more athletic centers like Okafor and Chandler. Perhaps the game has evolved in time. But one thing for sure, I miss those days with legit big mans with great skills. Yao could have been one of those big mens.

I'm disappointed you didn't mention Vlade or maybe his flopping upset too many people.

As for centres today, Bogut has skills, I just wished he worked on his jump shot (and free throws). He's got a lot more talent that Smits ever had.

[Andrew]

Arguably the greatest player over 7'2

Chuck Nevitt FTW.

[Murat]

Arguably the greatest player over 7'2

[Martti.]

Making fun of a guy who had part of his leg amputated? That's a new low even for Badger.

[JaoSming]

phpBB [video]

my favorite Yao play

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In my Varsity days in high school we actually ran a "Yao" play where we'd do the Yao/Francis pick n roll with me in the post and the hand off pass to a cutting small player on the baseline to the hoop. Couldn't find that play on youtube.

And again, for those curious, yes my nickname did derive from Yao Ming. In 2002 at a basketball camp some little 6th grader thought I looked like Yao and my friends overheard him. A year and a half of being called "Yao" later, one of my friends came up with the ingenious Jon Smith + Yao Ming = Jao Sming. So I had that nickname senior year, but was planning to ditch it when I got to college. Sure enough in my first pick up game up there someone started calling me Yao again so I just embraced the Jao Sming nickname again......and now it's tattoo'd on me.

This really sucks...even though I got to see Yao play multiple times in person (at Celtics games) I still want to see him play. That beast from the far east was so interesting to watch to see how the D would attempt to defend him, and then watch as he would go into a hole and continually pass out of the post and the biggest guy on the court disappears from the game....

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[Mavs4Life]

I saw you bacvk in 2003 at a Mavs game. I guess I can say I saw him in his prime (what time was that, I mean, when he wasn't injured was when he was growing as a player, & when he was injured he could've been in his prime. I guess it was



Yao Ming's team, the Houston Rockets, can't comment on his pending retirement because of the NBA lockout.


Shane Battier: "He's one of the few guys that I'll be proud to tell my grandkids I played with."


Tracy McGrady: "I feel very honored to have not only played with one of the greatest big men in our league, but to also call him my friend. I wish Yao continued success in all his ventures in life.”


I saw him bacv in 2003 at a Mavs game. I guess I can say I saw him in his prime (what time was that, I mean, when he wasn't injured was when he was growing as a player, & when he was injured he could've been in his prime. I guess it was



Yao Ming's team, the Houston Rockets, can't comment on his pending retirement because of the NBA lockout.


Shane Battier: "He's one of the few guys that I'll be proud to tell my grandkids I played with."


Tracy McGrady: "I feel very honored to have not only played with one of the greatest big men in our league, but to also call him my friend. I wish Yao continued success in all his ventures in life.”




The future WAS Yao.

[Cruzerr]

Damn, I really loved Yao. Its really sorry for his injuries, his a "What If" Guy

[Fresh8]

Yao had a great career. I wish he could have tasted success in the NBA by winning a championship or at least making it to the NBA Finals. That would have been a joy to watch. Despite all of that, Yao's career should be celebrated for what he brought to the NBA. He was very professional from Day 1 and to this day, I believe has stuck to his values and is still the same person that was portrayed to us in 2002. He not only opened up the league to a whole other audience and area to market to but he also made his country proud (which I could probably say is what he wanted to do most. You saw him grimacing through pool play in the Olympics. He wasn't ready to come back but he did because he wanted to play for his country in his country. Perhaps he paid the ultimate sacrifice and that is cutting short his NBA career in order to represent his country). But what better moment than to see him carry the Chinese flag at the 2008 Olympics?

Truly special player who never reached the heights many thought he would. I'd pin that on the fact that he didn't have the talent playing with him. For China, he carried that national side single handily. China might have some decent players but they are clearly not at a level to compete with North American, South American and European teams. For the Rockets, even when he did have a half-decent team, he and T-Mac hit a bad patch of health when things looked like they would begin rolling. With that said, I reckon he did reach close to his potential and at the end of the day - I think most Yao fans are content with what he was for his career.

But it's not the end. If it's any consolation, Yao and Shaq going on holiday together would be a pretty funny reality TV show.

[_Steve_]

Damn! It's still very early to announce a retirement. oh well..

I, sadly, expect the same from Greg Oden, not now... but soon enough.

But it's a shame anyhow. Despite I never really liked the Rocket since Rudy T and The Dream - with the exception of Robert Horry - I feel some kind of pity for such a charismatic guy Yao Ming is.

[Axel The Great]

Despite I never really liked the Rocket since Rudy T and The Dream

Get outta here.

I remember one play I stumbled across on youtube, easiest basket ever:

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[Andrew]

Now that's a shooting touch.

[NovU]

And again, for those curious, yes my nickname did derive from Yao Ming. In 2002 at a basketball camp some little 6th grader thought I looked like Yao and my friends overheard him. A year and a half of being called "Yao" later, one of my friends came up with the ingenious Jon Smith + Yao Ming = Jao Sming. So I had that nickname senior year, but was planning to ditch it when I got to college. Sure enough in my first pick up game up there someone started calling me Yao again so I just embraced the Jao Sming nickname again......and now it's tattoo'd on me.

Couldn't help noticing. If I recall right, you don't have any resemblance in looks with Yao. Still not convinced how chubby(plz don't ban me) and not-tall Caucasian male could earn a nickname "Yao".

[JaoSming]

in high school I was a lanky bastard who looked part Asian.

6'6" isn't tall?



On-Topic, Yao in the HoF?

[NovU]

6'6"? Damn... Thought you'd be around 6 at most from the pics you posted before. My bad.

HOF? I diagree but who knows.

[Andrew]

On-Topic, Yao in the HoF?

Possibly, though I don't know about him being first ballot. In terms of his skill and what he showed us before injuries derailed his career, I think it's fair to say he is/was a Hall of Fame talent. He was the first international player to be taken first overall after having never played college ball and as noted before he's one of the best players over 7'2", so there is significance to his career. His NBA resume lacks the padding that would really put him over the top but it is the Basketball Hall of Fame after all and not just the NBA Hall of Fame, so if an individual is significant enough to the sport in general then they are a fair candidate.

[_Steve_]

On-Topic, Yao in the HoF?

I came over this discussion two days ago and I have to say, he might deserves to be in the HoF for what he meant to the NBA in asia and worldwide (e.g. breaking MJs All Star vote record).
But as a player he haven't had that impact to introduce him into HoF, simply because he did not play enough seasons. People are much to fast nowadays with people getting into HoF. His total games including playoffs would mean he merly played sixth seasons plus he won no title during that time.

I'd say: get Don Nelson into HoF before even think of Yao Ming.

[Andrew]

You could say the same about Bill Walton, though he did admittedly lead the Blazers to the '77 title, was the sixth man on the '86 Celtics championship team and had a standout collegiate career.

[_Steve_]

You could say the same about Bill Walton, though he did admittedly lead the Blazers to the '77 title, was the sixth man on the '86 Celtics championship team and had a standout collegiate career.

You've already said it, there are differences. Two rings and a MVP trophy. Don't get me wrong about Yao Ming. Everyone - including me - expected him to win at least one title with the Rockets. He just fell short in a way. Same for Vin Baker. In his prime he was truly HoF caliber, but he blew it (that's a big difference between him and Yao Ming).

PS: No, I do not think that a ring is necessary to get into HoF (e.g. Karl Malone/ Chuck), but it could make the difference.

[benji]

He just fell short in a way.

Yeah, unlike Walton he never played with a bunch of other hall of famers, all-star caliber players and worthwhile role players.

Same for Vin Baker. In his prime he was truly HoF caliber

lol wat

[_Steve_]

He just fell short in a way.

Yeah, unlike Walton he never played with a bunch of other hall of famers, all-star caliber players and worthwhile role players.

Well Gary Payton and Karl Malone played together in LA, surrounded by a good bunch of players... oh... well... the didn't get the title. LBJ and Wade, both potential HoF... fell short. What about Patrick Ewing.... oh I remember... he missed the title despite his Knicks were really good. The bunch Yao Ming was surrounded by wasn't that bad too.
In the end Walton won two championships and I think he played his part during the runs AND he had some luck (you need that too to win a title). The players listed above missed came up short. period.

Same for Vin Baker. In his prime he was truly HoF caliber

lol wat

Look at his stats from 95-98. I've seen him play in those days. If he could have hold that level he surly would have become a HoF.

[Kenny]

His total games including playoffs would mean he merly played sixth seasons plus he won no title during that time.

Something interesting I just found out; Sabonis only played 7 more games in his career than Yao did (including playoffs).

[_Steve_]

His total games including playoffs would mean he merly played sixth seasons plus he won no title during that time.

Something interesting I just found out; Sabonis only played 7 more games in his career than Yao did (including playoffs).

Yeah, but he was 30 [?!?] years old - which means about 8 years older then Yao - when he got drafted.

[Patr1ck]

I have a feeling he will come back.

Once he gained weight, he had a lot of injuries. I think his build just could not support the weight, and something had to give. If he loses some weight, maybe his foot will heal properly and he can make a come back.

[shadowgrin]

Yeah, but he was 30 [?!?] years old - which means about 8 years older then Yao - when he got drafted.

Sabonis got drafted in the '86 Draft at age 22. He only played in the league at 31 yrs. old.