Yao Ming being inducted in 2016 NBA Hall of Fame Class by Daniel Hasko
Playing in less than 500 games in only eight years of action and never winning an NBA championship usually does not translate into an induction into the NBA Hall of Fame. Quite frankly, those numbers and the words “Hall of Fame” do not even exist in the same discussion. However, when a player can post above-average numbers and also hold the title of global icon, he has a fighting chance. A global icon is precisely what Yao Ming was during his short, injury-plagued stint in the NBA.
Yao, who just recently became a member of the 2016 NBA Hall of Fame class, did just as much for the game of basketball on the court as he did off the hardwood. Even more impressive, he did it on a global scale. The first overall pick in the 2002 draft, the 7-foot 6-inch center out of Shanghai, China was literally bigger than life itself. Selected by the Houston Rockets, Yao was the first foreign-born player to be chosen at number one without playing collegiately in the United States. Although language was an early obstacle for the Chinese native, his English quickly improved and was able to participate in press conferences without a translator in no time at all. Additionally, he was able to land an abundance of endorsement deals from both American and Chinese companies alike.
Complementing his basketball talent, Yao was an easy player to like. Apart from his graceful playing style that featured excellent mid-range shooting and a phenomenal free-throw percentage that was unheard of among big men of his era, Yao was known as the “Gentle Giant.” A humble star, he was always polite to the media and gave positive vibes during his engagements with fans and the general public. He was the picture-perfect role model for kids across the globe.
Perhaps Yao’s greatest achievement was what he did for the NBA and the game of basketball on an international spectrum. For young basketball talent in China, they were now able to see the NBA as a destination goal. Playing for a team in the CBA, China’s professional basketball association, is no longer the ceiling for players that have exceptional talent. Ratings for NBA games skyROCKETED (pun intended) during Yao’s career with the Houston Rockets and helped the NBA to capture international attention. The once almost American-exclusive NBA now has rosters that feature over 100 international players from over 30 countries or territories. The international stars of today can definitely attribute some of their success to the work that Yao Ming did as he opened the door of international opportunity in the NBA.
While Yao was undoubtedly a big shot in America, he never lost sight of his Chinese roots as he continued to make appearances in the Olympics and international competitions with the Chinese national team. The loyalty to both countries contributed to his enormous success and fan base across the world. His career and great character revolutionized the NBA into an international stage. Although Yao never quite fulfilled the expectations of a legendary career on the court in the NBA, what he did off the court and for the game of basketball on a global scale rightly earns him a spot among basketball’s elite in the NBA Hall of Fame.
