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Should Yao Ming Have Been Inducted Into The Hall of Fame?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by celebrevida, Feb 7, 2017.

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Is Yao Ming Worthy of the Basketball Hall of Fame?

  1. He is worthy even as an NBA-only Player without doubt.

    33 vote(s)
    52.4%

  2. He is barely worthy as an NBA-only player but worthy as an International Player without doubt.

    22 vote(s)
    34.9%

  3. He is only worthy as an International Player but not as an NBA-only player.

    4 vote(s)
    6.3%

  4. He is not worthy of the HoF in any capacity.

    4 vote(s)
    6.3%
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  1. celebrevida

    celebrevida Member

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    Yao Ming had a short but memorable career with the Houston Rockets. A great person on and off the court, he left a great impression on the fans and the league. Still many people question whether he is worthy of the Hall of Fame.

    Now the thing to note is that it isn't the NBA Hall of Fame. Rather it is the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (BHoF) which has different divisions. The major ones are North American, International and Women. (The North American division is more or less the NBA division). Yao Ming was only voted into the BHoF from the International Committee so in effect he only went in as a "International Player".

    So the question is whether Yao Ming is worthy of the BHoF and if so in what capacity?

    IMHO, he is undoubtedly worthy as an "International Player". However if he has the exact same NBA career but was not an "International player" would he still be BHoF worthy as an NBA-only player?

    My own opinion is that he is but barely. The person I compare him to are that made it to the BHoF is Ralph Sampson. If you think that Ralph Sampson deserve to be in the BHoF then Yao should too even as an NBA-only player. Otherwise neither should be in the BHoF in an NBA-only capacity as I can't see how you say "Yes" to Sampson but "No" to Yao based on NBA-only careers.

    Still others will say he is an "International Player" only BHOFer. And still others will say he isn't worthy in any capacity.

    So I made this poll to see what Rockets fans have to say.
     
    #1 celebrevida, Feb 7, 2017
  2. Dankstronaut

    Dankstronaut Way, way out here.
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    Derp
     
    #2 Dankstronaut, Feb 7, 2017
    HakeemOnlyFan likes this.
  3. FTW Rockets FTW

    FTW Rockets FTW Contributing Member

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    What do you expect? LOL

    The answer will be a unanimous YES and rightly so
     
    #3 FTW Rockets FTW, Feb 7, 2017
  4. tinman

    tinman Contributing Member
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    He's already in the hall of fame.
    Why don't you make a new thread to see if the earth is round?
     
    #4 tinman, Feb 7, 2017
    Sonny, Richie_Rich, J-Wolf and 2 others like this.
  5. Rowdy4Life

    Rowdy4Life Member

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    Is this real life...
     
    #5 Rowdy4Life, Feb 7, 2017
  6. Vivi

    Vivi Member

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    Yep, no question.
     
    #6 Vivi, Feb 7, 2017
  7. AggieRocketFan96

    AggieRocketFan96 Member

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    You must have missed the memo, Yao's already in unless you're trying to start a Hall of Fame revocation movement. I'm visiting the Hall in Springfield next week, look forward to seeing Yao.s jersey there.
     
    #7 AggieRocketFan96, Feb 7, 2017
    J.R. likes this.
  8. apollo33

    apollo33 Member

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    kinda late to the party aren't we
     
    #8 apollo33, Feb 7, 2017
  9. celebrevida

    celebrevida Member

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    I understand that he is already in the HoF as my OP already acknowledged. But just because someone is in the HoF doesn't mean people can't disagree. I mean we have tons of discussions about who should be in the HoF but isn't. So I don't see why one couldn't ask the opposite question concerning players that are already in the HoF but undeservingly.

    Also in the case of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, there is still a question of the his qualifications as an international player or NBA-only player since there are two different selection committees. The poll question isn't just a Yes/No but also the degree and capacity to which he is worthy as well.
     
    #9 celebrevida, Feb 7, 2017
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2017
  10. bloodwings19

    bloodwings19 Member

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    If Larry O' Brien is a HOF, why not Yao Ming. I'm quite sure if you asked the players when Yao Ming played, they would vote yes. I don't remember a big man at his size shoot technical free throws, to me that is an amazing feat.
     
    #10 bloodwings19, Feb 7, 2017
  11. HoustonTexas

    HoustonTexas Member

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    Yes - one of a kind player with a major impact on the game of basketball. The things he did at 7'6" are baffling. Career average of 19ppg while most guys his size struggle to be impactful rotation players.
     
    #11 HoustonTexas, Feb 7, 2017
    TheMystery008 likes this.
  12. dharocks

    dharocks Contributing Member

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    Yes.

    We're revisiting this now?
     
    #12 dharocks, Feb 7, 2017
  13. Easy

    Easy Boban Only Fan
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    #13 Easy, Feb 7, 2017
  14. DudeWah

    DudeWah Member

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    ^Ah yes, the thread I finally put DD on ignore. Great thread solely for that decision.



    As an aside, I changed my opinion since that thread. I think Yao should absolutely be in the hall of fame as a player. His playing career barely puts him in there but the guy is an icon.

    The basketball hall of fame should be harder to get into. But hey, no real reason to complain. As the standards are now, Yao definitely deserves it.

    T-Mac will probably be in there soon too.

    I'm happy two Rockets are going to (likely) get inducted two years in a row.

    Great for the Rockets organization.
     
    #14 DudeWah, Feb 8, 2017
  15. Big Uns

    Big Uns Member

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    No way T doesnt choose to go in as an Orlando Magic.
     
    #15 Big Uns, Feb 8, 2017
  16. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    You must be living under a large rock.....
     
    #16 daywalker02, Feb 8, 2017
  17. across110thstreet

    across110thstreet Contributing Member

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    Who are you
     
    #17 across110thstreet, Feb 8, 2017
  18. Haymitch

    Haymitch Custom Title
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    Should OP have started this thread?
     
    #18 Haymitch, Feb 8, 2017
  19. Richie_Rich

    Richie_Rich Member
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    OP, I kinda see what you're trying to pose here but there's one small problem.

    You're assuming the merits for North American 'division' HOF consideration are relegated to NBA careers. Truth is, NCAA is a major component of a players overall basketball resume.

    This brings us to Magic Johnson who once said Ralph Sampson is quite possibly the greatest collegiate basketball player of all-time. Sampson, while at Virginia, thoroughly dominated the competition on his way to three (3) National College Player of the Year honors. He also walked away with some Wooden Awards, if memory serves.

    In short, Sampson was inducted for his other-worldly NCAA achievements, as well as his NBA accomplishments. Let's not forget, as an NBA rookie, Sampson averaged 21 ppg / 11 rpg earning him his first All-Star selection and NBA Rookie of the Year honors. He was a rare athletic specimen with extremely sound basketball foundations. Four years of D1 coaching and ACC competition will do that (see Duncan, Tim).

    At 7'4", Sampson was a combination of Anthony Davis + Kevin Garnett + Kareem Abdul Jabbar, with exceptional ball-handling , explosiveness, quickness, and open court awareness. The league had never seen anything like him, and IMO, likely won't ever again. Injures robbed him of championships and all-time legend (dare I say, Rushmore) status.

    If you want to compare Yao's and Sampson's path to HOF induction, or even weigh their merits, that's fine. Just don't assume college careers aren't factored into the HOF committee's selection process. Sampson was already a basketball legend before he ever stepped foot on an NBA practice court.

    He was that special.
     
    #19 Richie_Rich, Feb 8, 2017
  20. OldYelllowDog

    OldYelllowDog Contributing Member

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    I kinda wondered too
     
    #20 OldYelllowDog, Feb 9, 2017
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