Jeff Van Gundy calls for Yao Ming to be inducted into Hall of Fame - NBA Update
Former Houston Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy said in an interview with a local newspaper that Yao Ming, the recently retired Chinese basketball legend, deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Speaking after Yao Ming announced his retirement due to severe injury troubles that ultimately got the best of the giant player, Jeff Van Gundy spoke of the impact Yao had on the league, on the NBA’s popularity overseas and the
fact that Yao was a terrific basketball player.
“No. 1 to me, he’s a Hall of Famer,” Van Gundy said. “I don’t care if you put him in as player, as a contributor or put him in with his own heading. This guy definitely gets in for the greatness as a player when healthy or what
he did as ambassador.”
And added, “People forget, just how good he was.”
Ming’s popularity often did overshadow his game as the centre was one of the most beloved athletes in the NBA during his time. A humble demeanour and a friendly personality made Yao a genuinely likeable character and fans took
to him throughout the league.
Yao’s impact on the game of basketball globally cannot be overstated. The player became the first genuine Chinese, and Asian, superstar to play in the NBA and opened the way for more athletes to follow in his footsteps. His fame
in China reached legendary status and opened that huge market to the NBA which is estimated to have a potential in billions of dollars.
Yao was also a tremendous basketball player when healthy and caused headaches to opposition players due to his sheer size alone.
Standing 7-foot-6, Yao was an imposing figure for any opponent. He also possessed a velvety touch, good basketball IQ, a polished inside game and some smart defending. The player became an asset to the Houston Rockets, who drafted
him 1st overall back in 2002. In only his first year, Yao was selected to play in the NBA All-Star weekend and the Rookie first team.
For a few years, when he was healthy and playing well, Yao was the best centre in the NBA. However injuries struck him down in the last few years and Yao made only 5 appearances for the Houston Rockets last season.
Yao retired with career averages of 19.0 points and 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. However having been in the NBA for just 9 seasons and sitting out a major chunk of those through injury, there are surely going to be those
who would question his induction to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
However, Ming’s contributions to the sport are enormous and the player deserves to be recognized in some way or form.
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