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Leslie Alexander: Rockets will retire Yao Ming's number

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by mr. 13 in 33, Nov 13, 2012.

  1. mr. 13 in 33

    mr. 13 in 33 Member

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    From Jonathan Feigen:

    Leslie Alexander confirms he will retire Yao Ming's number.
     
  2. mrm32

    mrm32 Member

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    Well deserved.
     
  3. MambaJoe

    MambaJoe Member

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    As a person, he deserves it but as a player, I'm not really sure. He was a good player when healthy but dealt with too many injuries and had to retired. But is that enough to retire his number?

    As good of a person he was to his country and the community, I feel like Yao didn't accomplish as much as I would expect him to in order to have his number retire. But either way, he represents the Rockets the past decade.
     
  4. Cstyle42

    Cstyle42 Member

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    As a player he doesn't deserve it.
     
  5. tofu--

    tofu-- Member

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    While I understand your reservations, for a period of time Yao was the best center in the league and spent his entire career with us. I don't think he's a HOF player but he's probably going to get in, for example, and I think it's more a representation of him as a pioneer than for staying continuously excellent.

    But he really was dominating, as I'm sure you remember.
     
  6. houston#1

    houston#1 Rookie

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    When is a special day?
     
  7. D12Eminem

    D12Eminem Member

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    Yes bc he was a global icon, and changed china....
     
  8. AroundTheWorld

    Supporting Member

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    Good decision.
     
  9. LC Rox Fan

    LC Rox Fan Member

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    Awesome, it will be great to see him back at Toyota center again in the spotlight.
     
  10. D12Eminem

    D12Eminem Member

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    China in regards to bball world*^-he's a first ballot HOF prob. As well
    -I agree with your statements, but KG called him "the most dominant best player in the L" at one point....yes
     
  11. Dat Dude

    Dat Dude Member

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    Best news I heard all day. Well deserved.
     
  12. burnshroom

    burnshroom Member

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    Finally Mad Max's jersey will be in the rafters. It will be misspelled but it is about time!!!
     
  13. mazinger

    mazinger Member

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    [​IMG] You're an idiot.


    Anyways, as for Yao's number being retired,
    [​IMG]
     
  14. juicystream

    juicystream Contributing Member

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    It shouldn't be. Like the guy. Admire that he tried to come back every time.

    It just doesn't belong with RudyT, Olajuwon, Moses, & Calvin.
     
  15. Baby Bron Bron

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    It's unfortunate how Yao's career ended up playing out. He was a special athlete in his own regard, had a very diverse offensive repertoire, and FFS, he could hit a damn free throw despite being taller than 7 feet. He did so much for the game of basketball and the NBA that it's ridiculous. I wish I could still be watching him play and grow. Those Rockets teams with Yao and T-Mac were legit. Any adulation for this man is well deserved.
     
  16. Aruba77

    Aruba77 Contributing Member

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    meh ...if Clyde can play 3.5 seasons with the Rockets and get his number retired, Yao's 8 seasons should be enough.
     
    2 people like this.
  17. da_juice

    da_juice Member

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    I don't think Yao deserves it. Sure, he was a great guy and probably changed the NBA in more ways than we know, but compare him to the other guys who had jerseys retired:

    Olajuwon (We all know what he did)

    Clyde (crucial part of the 2nd championship team)

    Calvin Murphy (played for us for 13 years, all-time team leader in assists, 2nd in points and steals for the team)

    Moses Malone (won two MVPs while in Houston)

    Carol Dawson (part of the Rockets organization for 28 years)

    Rudy T (aside from his coaching accolades here, he's the 3rd highest scorer for us and spent his whole career here).

    Compare that with Yao. While he certainly was a good player and put up big numbers, he did not win us any championships, nor win any major awards.
     
  18. cbb139

    cbb139 Member

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    it'll be silly not to retire his number. He has done a lot not just on the court, but off the court as well. When healthy, he was a top 2 center in the game, and dominated Dwight, time and time again.
     
  19. Elie#17

    Elie#17 Contributing Member

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    Experienced a ton of highs and lows with Yao on the team...no matter what, he always gave a 100% of his effort and played his entire career in Houston since being drafted #1. Look at the work he put in each summer, to get bigger, rebound harder, improve touch and creativity.

    A definite + Plus in my book to commemorate him by retiring his jersey, can't wait to see him back in TC that day. He'd still dominate these kids if you gave him 9 months, if it werent for the risk that he might never walk again if he got injured once more.
     
  20. Classic

    Classic Member

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    Good call.

    Go ahead an throw Horry, Mario, Kenny & Sam's up there too
     
    1 person likes this.

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