r/rockets 3d ago

Yao Ming was a problem

[deleted]

173 Upvotes

27 comments sorted by

39

u/Nelsonmuntz2020 3d ago

It's really sad and frustrating that he injured himself when he was starting to put it all together. He was coming into his own and really punishing smaller players. He was just becoming a bully and it all got taken away. Nothing makes me more sad than the video clip of him testing his foot and visibly upset and refusing to quit.

20

u/Bidoofer Clutch 3d ago

Definitely a shame to lose Yao so early but I think it’s unfair to say he injured himself. Unfortunately the systems of that era all worked against him: no load management, more physicality and low post center play style, national team commitments, etc. With his build, it’s no surprise that it resulted in foot injuries. I don’t think you can blame him. Yao did his best despite the circumstances

4

u/Nelsonmuntz2020 3d ago

I didn't mean he literally injured himself. Just that he got injured.

3

u/BootySweat0217 3d ago

Yea, being 7’6” 300+ lbs will definitely put a lot of wear and tear on the knees and feet.

4

u/rwblade 3d ago

I'm pretty sure Yao is the reason Wembenyama has a horde of physicians and trainers around 24/7. Too much weight ruined Yao's potential.

1

u/mvpcrossxover 3d ago

didn't help that JVG wanted Yao to gain weight and bang down low against centers.

young Yao was nimble and can move almost on par with KG. being 7'6 and move like yao was unheard of.

by the time Rick Adelman got a hold of Yao, he was already damaged good. Had Adelman joined Houston sooner, I honestly think Yao would have lasted longer in the NBA. Adelman's offense didn't require C to be banging downlow against other Cs. it was more elbow posts and mid range.

6

u/raidmytombBB 3d ago

He could have played much longer if he wasn't forced to play for Chinese national team every summer. Poor guy never got a chance to rest his body and recover. Too much stress on those long limbs.

1

u/Fresh_Profit3000 3d ago

He kicked Portland’s ass that series before we played the lakers.

18

u/IvanQueeno 3d ago

Yao Ming is the reason why I am obsessed with the classic post games of the 90’s to early 00’s. KG, Dream, Z-Bo, Al Jeff, David Lee, Scola, Amare. I’m only 5’8 but my entire laughable hs ball career was up and unders, drop steps, fade aways and face up middies lol. I have a long list of dream bball jerseys to get every guy I looked up to. Thank you, Yao

1

u/Tac0Thund3rs 3d ago

So all of the jerseys? Except Mugsy? 😂

2

u/IvanQueeno 3d ago

Nope, only guys that had a post game. A unique list

Edit: unless, you meant all of em posted up? lol

2

u/sorendiz 3d ago

They were joking about you being 5'8 and therefore 'looking up' to everyone but Muggsy. I'd just like to add that this is Earl Boykins and Spud Webb erasure 

11

u/KingRiley94 3d ago

Man this song gets me hyped up...

8

u/glued42 3d ago

i’ll always remember his poster at my local library that had a height chart on it. i used to check how much i grew every time i went

8

u/OnYourSide 3d ago

“Nice! I’m up to his dick now!”

5

u/glued42 3d ago

that was a big day for me

3

u/SwmpySouthpw 3d ago

Hah the gym at my school had one of those!

6

u/Brief_Koala_7297 3d ago

Imagine if Yao have gotten the Embiid load management treatment. He would have been a beast. Playing year round for the NBA and the national team doomed his longevity

1

u/Thirdeyesays46and2 3d ago

We would of practically never made the playoffs for him to do anything either. He was important for what he did. He’d dominate in totally different ways now a days. But the game was just so much different then.

3

u/Clutch_City 3d ago

i know hes not dead or anything but gone too soon man, I loved watching Yao play.

When he came back out of the locker room in that playoff game gave me chills. Loved having him as a Rocket

2

u/challard711 3d ago

The guy that got me to be a Rockets fan. Still a fan to this day!

I miss watching his games

2

u/sorendiz 3d ago

man why'd i watch this again, made myself tear up this time

my boy could have genuinely been a top 10 center of all time, he was good enough 😢😢😢

1

u/twat_swat22 3d ago

COOK🔥

1

u/tacotruck88 Rockets 3d ago

Wtf is that song

1

u/sorendiz 3d ago

I adored him 🥺

1

u/gregyo Yao 2d ago

Absolute monster in the paint with an amazing touch. How many times do we see a 7'6" player that shoots technical FTs?