RealGM

It feels silly to describe a player who's about to be a first-ballot inductee to the Basketball Hall of Fame as "under-appreciated," but if anyone fits that description, it's Yao Ming. Ask your average basketball fan about the Houston Rockets center, who is to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this weekend, and you'll probably hear about two things: his height (a towering 7'6", which places him fifth on the list of the all-time tallest NBA players) and his nationality. You'll hear significantly less about his game.

There are plenty of those who'll argue that he doesn't deserve his place in the Hall, let alone to be inducted at the first opportunity. (Google "Yao Ming Hall of Fame" if you don't believe that). The arguments against him are that his career was relatively short (he spent only eight seasons in the NBA) and that he was often injured. If Yao was American, people argue, he'd have a hard time qualifying with that record. This may or may not be true, but Yao's induction comes at the behest of the Hall's International Committee, who choose one inductee a year, and if you can find another player who's eligible this year and also happens to be the best ever from a nation of over a billion people, let me know. In any case, those arguing his NBA career doesn't merit this recognition are doing Yao a disservice, because while his career was short, it was also great, because he represented the last flourishing of a certain type of basketball. So perhaps the best way to remember what make him special is this: he's the last truly great back-to-the-basket center we've seen in the NBA.

ken6199 wrote:I work out a lot, but I hate cardio so much. Every time when I am about to pass out on the treadmill, I think of this.

Mr. E wrote:I'm a gym rat as well (it's partially how I messed up my shoulder), but I actually really like cardio...as long as it is running outside or cycling. I hate treadmills! If I'm going to move I want to go somewhere!

But that is a great image of Yao. He had so much dedication to the game. Injuries were cruel to the Rockets in those years.