Yao Ming announced his retirement today in his homeland in Shanghai, China at the age of 30. The 7 foot 6 center of the Houston Rockets decided to end his career due to an injury on his left foot. Yao broke his left foot in a playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2008-2009 season, and underwent complex surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2009-10 season.
"I had to leave the court since I suffered a stress fracture in my left foot for the third time at the end of last year. My past six months were an agonizing wait. I had been thinking (about my future) over and over. Today I am announcing a personal decision, ending my career as a basketball player and officially retire. But one door is closing and another one is opening." the towering pride of China said during the press conference.
Yao's dominance and effect on the game cannot be measured by the stats he delivered on the court alone but by the sheer influence he had on the game in a global perspective. He acted inadvertently as an ambassador for the game by his character, sportsmanship and love for the game. He symbolized the growth of basketball as a global game. He also put Asia on the map as far as basketball is concerned. Possibly, it will be a long time before another Asian graces the hardwoods of the NBA same as Yao Ming did.
Yao Ming started his basketball career as an Asian basketball superstar for the Chinese national team. He was eventually picked by the Houston Rockets as 1st overall in the 2002 NBA Draft. The 8-time Chinese All-Star played eight seasons in the NBA, but missed 250 regular-season games over the past six years. Yao Ming averaged 19.0 points per game, 1.9 blocks per game, 52 percent from the field, and 9.2 rebounds.
I hope that the Rocketrs raises Yao's number 11 jersey in the rafters of Toyota Center and someday, be honored into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Stats source: NBA.com
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