The only TRUE Asian Superstar for the Rockets on any continent <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/htm7b_saqcs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Number 1 gave me so much hope for a quick footed big man, then JVG decided Yao was better banging down low with the other bigs. It was a hard era to watch through but I'm glad we drafted Yao that year.
Yao was the best. Yao would've gone down as one of the greatest centers of all time if injuries didn't hinder him. Unfortunately, physics doesn't allow a 7'6 guy as mobile as him to play 82 games of NBA basketball every year for multiple years. Complete respect for the guy, as classy of a man as there can be and he did his part to bridge the divide between two rival nations in the world. Houston will forever love Yao and what he brought to the whole state of Texas.
I hope one day Houston Rockets retire his #11 jersey! :') <iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/l0SYKT4FgGU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Why do Lin fans suck so much compared to Yao fans is the real question...You'd think Yao as great as he was would've garnered the attention Lin has but no, Asian fans have swarmed behind a below average player like Lin for whatever reason instead of Yao who was truly incredible... Who knows why
There were a good amount of YoF's, but the language barrier made it more funny than annoying usually. I speak Mandarin fluently so I was always able to enjoy Yao's interviews. The guy is as intelligent as he is humble and loyal. His translator really didn't do him justice often.
Houston was yaos first American experience and home. Houston adopted him as a one of their sons. Their were Yao fans from China, they had a leader . The lin fans don't have a leader so they are anarchist . Plus Yao has never sucked as bad as lin
Unlike today's team, a Yao Rox team could beat certain teams with no chance of a close game. Knicks, Raptors, and etc teams had no chance. Just a punching bag.
I firmly believe that if Yao would have stayed healthy he would have been a top 3 center in NBA history. I also believe that if he did not injure his foot in the playoffs that year we could have gone to the finals. But alas it was not meant to be, I'm glad Yao is living a good life not though. Wouldn't it be something if we saw portland again in the postseason and Dwight has a perfect game? That would take us back full circle in a sense. Oh and i really hope one of these days i hear "houston rockets" and "sound defensive team" in the same sentence.
Always liked Yao, really good player, though never got to see how great he might have been. Perhaps more importantly, seemed like a very classy guy. Every time I think of Yao off the court, I think of that picture with him wiping away tears from an AIDS Orphan child.