Good for Pat, and I say him retiring MJ's number is a farce. Jordan couldn't give two *****S about Pat or Miami. Like I said earlier, why not Francis, Reid, Yao, TMac, Bunny, et al for jerseys? Shoot, why not Antonio McDyess? He's contributed tax money to the city for decades? Avery Johnson? Robert Horry? Marcus Fizer? Jersey retirement, for me, is a genuflection to the contributions of on court success.
Good for you. When you buy the Rockets, you can make that the official jersey retirement policy of the team. Why not TMac? This is why: <iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TjbkXewxlGI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
You asked how many all-nba first team selections Yao had. I pointed out that Yao played in the same era as a prime Shaq. I'm not really sure where you're going with this particular strawman argument... Well, I hope you aren't holding too tightly to those convictions. Yao's jersey will be retired. It's a certainty.
As certain as Sabonis being retired by the Blazers or Tarpley with the Mavs. I'm ok with my convictions. Differing reasons, no doubt, but same net results.
Playing with a prime Shaq my ass, Shaq hasn't been in his Prime since 2002. Yao has also been behind Stoudemire and Ben Wallace in the selections.
Oh really? So pre-Japan flight, when Dream had his come to $ moment, had he done less than Yao? Would his jersey have been deserving of being retired? As is, he led his team to the finals in his second year, remember? I say it would NOT have been retired at that time, yet he accomplished more than Yao has ever done. The difference is money in Les' pockets and somehow, in the last 10 years or so, we've become more attached to that certainty than what our actual GOAL as fans should be.
You're right, but his numbers didn't start falling off till 2004. Even so, Shaq was still averaging 20/10 till 2006 when he averaged 20/9. And he made all-nba 1st team each of those years.
What about Ralph Sampson?? He was playing great his first years, but the injuries got him, and couldnt play more at his highest level. With Hakeem, reached the Finals in '86, and also hitting that amazing shot against the Lakers. He had: 4x all-star, all-star MVP, Rookie of the year, 1x all-nba team All with the rockets. As a rookie he averaged 21.0 points and 11.1 rebounds. Next season he averaged 22.1 points and 10.4 rebounds. Imagine how the team would be with Hakeem and Ralph playing like that, how many titles (at least Finals appearences) would Rockets have? In 1986, Rockets swept the 2 first rounds, and only losing 1 game against the lakers, before the NBA finals. If people here want to retire Yao's number why not Sampson's Number?
Brad Daugherty? not sure about that one though and too lazy to check. I don't think Yao's done enough either - but I can certainly understand why his number would be retired and wouldn't get all indignant about it. He was arguably the best center during his time here, first all-star level Chinese player, by all accounts a very good guy and teammate (unlike Tmac, Shawn Kemp, Vin Baker, or whoever). And the Chinese thing does matter. Of course it is not the level of Jackie Robinson, but no one questions Robinsons's HOF credentials. His being the first black guy certainly is a HUGE part of his legacy - probably makes him the most important/valuable player in MLB history. Yao being the first Chinese is certainly not in the same echelon but it does add to his legacy/importance as well.
If Ralph was the first Chinese player, no doubt his jersey would be up there. And of course it matters - fair or not. Not in the same boat I admit - but Jackie Robinson's number was retired by every single team.
Because Ralph's career with the Rockets, which lasted 3 1/2 seasons, was too brief? Even with all his injuries, Yao Ming played almost twice as many games as a Rocket as Ralph did. Ralph was no doubt an excellent player, though. By the way, it would appear that the Nuggets won a couple of games during the 2nd Round of the playoffs. Just details... http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1986.html
Will anyone really remember this era from Yao? I predict more fans will remember McGrady and his achievements/failures moreso than what Yao did.
Daugherty got beyond the first round twice, once making it to the conference finals and once got swept in the 2nd round. He was out in the first round the other times. Malik Sealy was a role player who never got beyond the 1st round. Petrovic got to the Finals with the Blazers, but he played only 13 MPG for that team. His number was retired by the Nets after a 290 game career. He never won a playoff series with the Nets. The Nets also retired Buck Williams' number. Buck was part of the Drexler Blazers, but got past the 1st round once with the Nets. Mitch Richmond went to the 2nd round twice with the Warriors, his numbers was retired by the Kings, with whom he made the playoffs once and lost in the 1st round.
CH everybody points to the "Toronto" game, but that already after 4-5 years of playing as a Houston Rocket. I don't really think one game of low effort in 5 years of stay says much. I could post that 13 in 30 video, doesn't mean Tmac was always clutch.
When you talk about fans, are you talking about all the basketball fans or just some kids growing up watchin ESPN? Globally, Yao wins hands down. And that's the main reason Yao will be certain to get in HOF, Tmac might not.
Grant Hill was with Pistons for 6 years, shorter than Yao's 9. Grant Hill was All star with Pistons 5 times, fewer than Yao's 8. Grant Hill was in All NBA team 4 time with Pistons, fewer than Yao's 5. Grant Hill is not a lifetime Piston, Yao is a lifetime Rocket. Nobody will make it a big deal if Pistons retires Hill's jersey, and he may still have a chance. I don't see what's wrong if Yao's jersey iis retired in Houston. Shawn Kemp had 5 ALL Star and 3 all-NBA with Seattle, both fewer than Yao. And he left on a bad note. No comparison here. 8-9 years as the face of a franchise plus 8 all stars will make anybody's jersey retired, in any sports, as long as the player doesn't screw up his relationship with management or commits murder like Jayson Williams.
