Yao was great. Great player, great heart, great guy. I would love to see him still around the organization though.
Sad day. One of my favorite Rockets of all time. A true champion and great person both on and off the court. Probably the best ambassador for the NBA we've ever seen, or will ever see.
Now, we are stuck with that fake, hypocritical, unfunny Dwight Howard as the unquestionable best Center in the league.
I agree....Yao is not a HOF player. He's a career 19/9 guy who played 8 seasons in which he managed more than 57 games only 4 times. Face it, Yao is not HOF worthy.
Hmmm... weird. http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/2011-07-09/03135649953.shtml According to this post, Yao's agent in China said that (1) Yao has not declared retirement, and (2) Yao has not notified the NBA and the Rockets of anything. But with confirmation coming from Wojnarowski, Feigan and Justice, I don't doubt the retirement story.
I'm actually relieved to hear he is retiring. End of an era, failed attempt with Yao and Tmac. So much promise....
Even if you hate him... T-mac pays tribute to Yao Tracy McGrady: yall join me with standing ovation for yao ming #salute. Tracy McGrady: I feel very honored to have not only played with one of the greatest big man in our league, but to also call him my friend. Twitter Tracy McGrady: 300,000,000 fans of basketball in china. Yao Ming's talent, character, and drive led so many new fans abroad to our NBA product. Tracy McGrady: with yao's arrival, he ushered in millions of new fans for me, kobe, lebron, and all NBA players.... he was an enormous asset to mr stern. Tracy McGrady: yao ming absolutely insturmental in the growth and popularity of our game abroad. Tracy Mcgrady: yes, absolutely put him in the hall of fame. contributions to the game. Tracy Mcgrady: I wish Yao continued success in all his ventures in life.
I think it's done deal. We all kinda suspect this will happen. None will probably fabricate it. Woj and others probably had the source. The only thing is we hope the development of this will somehow change the circumstance and change Yao's mind. Very unlikely though. I suspect he is injured again just by walking and doctors have something to do with this decision too. This is not something a pro athlete takes lightly.
Yao...you will always be a Hero!!! <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sWH87dq-Kds" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fsports.sohu.com%2F20110709%2Fn312883311.shtml Per google translation: Team Yao rumor: Yao did not notify the league announced his retirement Beijing time on July 9, Yahoo Sports Yao Ming announced his retirement exposed in the past 48 hours have been notified to the Union and the Office of the rocket after the news, Sohu Sports Yao Ming the first time the Chinese agent contacted Mr. BenQ , BenQ, said: First, Yao Ming has not announced his retirement, second, Yao Ming has not retired to the Union notified the relevant information. BenQ President did not disclose whether the Rockets' Yao said retirement-related news, the reporter contacted the rocket in front of reporters, the front of the reporters said that the current is in the shut down period of the NBA, the team did not contact the player's right to private. http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fsports.sohu.com%2F20110709%2Fn312884479.shtml Rocket statement: rumors about Yao Ming did not receive any messages retired Beijing time on July 9, Yahoo Sports Yao Ming announced his retirement exposed in the past 48 hours have been notified to the Union and the Office of the rocket after the news, the first time Sohu sports officials contacted the rocket, officials said the rocket : In addition to the major news media, we have not received any messages.
