Yao Ming to retire

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

@WojYahooNBA
Adrian Wojnarowski
Rockets' Yao Ming has decided to retire from the NBA, league sources tell Y! Sports. He informed the league office within past 48 hours.

http://twitter.com/#!/WojYahooNBA/status/89383420307841025

[BoricuaCJA]

Would really suck(even more) if I was a Rocket fan.

[mavsfan1000]

lol Yao

[Leetonidas]

Damn that really sucks. Too bad his body could never hold up, dude was a fucking beast when he was healthy.

[Darthkiller]

he played like 82 games his first couple seasons, then he just played too much ball during the offseason and was ran into the ground

[djohn2oo8]

No use in coming back and getting injured again

http://assets0.ordienetworks.com/images/GifGuide/dancing/1tumblr_lgp6q5NhE21qcjtu8o1_500.gif

[djohn2oo8]

Would really suck(even more) if I was a Rocket fan.

75% of Rocketfans are heading to the exits, ladies and gentlemen

[baseline bum]

There goes the entire value of the Rockets franchise.

[boutons_deux]

Nice guy, pretty good player, a credit to the NBA. Tough luck.

[djohn2oo8]

there goes the entire value of the rockets franchise.
+10000

[DPG21920]

Really sad. Liked Yao a lot.

[dirk4mvp]

at least now people can't abuse him in 2k.

[HornetLoveJones]

at least now people can't abuse him in 2k.

It was easier to contain him in 2k11 than 2k9 at least.. remember that game?

the all cheeser team online for 2k9

James White, Gerald Green, Yao Ming, LeBron James, Brandon Bass

[dirk4mvp]

lol yeah Yao has always been unstoppable on 2k and he blocks EVERYTHING.

[Indazone]

Damn, and I thought he'd at least let his foot heal and step back out on the court to at least try. Oh well...next, we need to draft the next Hakeem. Either that or this.... :lol

http://www.aolnews.com/2010/11/10/nba-awaits-satnam-from-india-so-big-and-athletic-at-14/

Reminds me of the last scene from the Worlds Greatest Athlete.

[Ashy Larry]

damn ....... really sucks ....... I bet his feet are happy though

[Indazone]

I still wish he would have tried like Shawn Livingston did after his horrendous knee blowout. Maybe it's different here because it's his bones. damn!

[z0sa]

lol yeah Yao has always been unstoppable on 2k and he blocks EVERYTHING.

that's always been 2k's glaring flaw IMHO, height matters more than anything

not exactly unrealistic but still

I feel bad for Yao, dude was literally pulled in two directions at once at all times thanks to being a genetically engineered commie

[djohn2oo8]

Damn, and I thought he'd at least let his foot heal and step back out on the court to at least try. Oh well...next, we need to draft the next Hakeem. Either that or this.... :lol

http://www.aolnews.com/2010/11/10/nba-awaits-satnam-from-india-so-big-and-athletic-at-14/

Reminds me of the last scene from the Worlds Greatest Athlete.

There isn't going to be a next Hakeem. Lets start with drafting someone whose destiny isn't in a suit and tie as their uniform


I still wish he would have tried like Shawn Livingston did after his horrendous knee blowout. Maybe it's different here because it's his bones. damn!

Livingston blew out his knee. Yao's bones break. See the difference? And he tried like 5 goddamn times to come back.

[JamStone]

Ralph Sampson, the sequel.

What's sad is that if this does mark the end of his NBA career, Sam Bowie will have played in more NBA games in his career than Yao did.

[TDMVPDPOY]

retire? china will work him into the ground and put him on the court even they are force to play 4 on 5 with 1 man camping in defense or offense...

[djohn2oo8]

Poster at another board : "Worst day of my life" :lmao

[Cane]

Damn shame. One of the most unique players the NBA will ever see and a damn good and important one too. A healthy Yao rivaled Dwight Howard for the title of best center in the league. Also his skills, shooting touch, etc. were great for a player of any size. Off the court he was as classy as they come and was and still is an important ambassador for the sport.:depressed:toast

[Kai]

If you put your ear to the ground and listen carefully, you'll hear the sound of millions weeping in China.

[djohn2oo8]

If you put your ear to the ground and listen carefully, you'll hear the sound of millions weeping in China.

If you go to clutchfans, you'll also get that same reaction

[Spurs da champs]

even when healthy he was a mediocre rebounder and shot blocker for being so big.

defiantly most overrated.

[cheguevara]

he'll still end up as starting center for the 2012 West Allstar Team

[endrity]

Damn shame. One of the most unique players the NBA will ever see and a damn good and important one too. A healthy Yao rivaled Dwight Howard for the title of best center in the league. Also his skills, shooting touch, etc. were great for a player of any size. Off the court he was as classy as they come and was and still is an important ambassador for the sport.:depressed:toast

He didn't just rival him. Yao always beat the crap out of Howard when he was healthy. His ability to shoot over him really bother Howard a lot, mainly mentally I thought. He wasn't used to a player scoring that easily on him.

[djohn2oo8]

he'll still end up as starting center for the 2012 West Allstar Team
:lol

[Killakobe81]

Ralph Sampson, the sequel.

What's sad is that if this does mark the end of his NBA career, Sam Bowie will have played in more NBA games in his career than Yao did.

2 great points ... I was thinking the same.

Also as others mentioned great guy. met him at Houston INT. airport once, told him i hoped he healed. He had a bunch of chinese fans following him, hoping to get a pic with their phones ...biggest man i ever saw and i lived in L.A. and watched Shaq.

Too bad, he was also kinda like sabonis 2.0 we never got to see the best of either guy ...

Is he a HOF? I say no, unless international impact is factored in. sure Kobe is the biggest basketball star in china now, but without Yao that impact is MUCH less ...but if his NBA career is the primary factor i say no he shouldn't make it ...but my guess he will.

[JamStone]

even when healthy he was a mediocre rebounder and shot blocker for being so big.

Mediocre is too harsh to describe his rebounding. Consider most players that big are slowed down by their size. Compare him to guys like Rik Smits and Shawn Bradley and Manute Bol and Gheorghe Mureson. His per-minute rebounding numbers compare very favorable. His shotblocking might be mediocre for his size. I do think that's at least partially a product of not wanting him to get into too much foul trouble. Guys like Bradley and Bol and Mureson didn't generally play as many minutes and weren't asked to save themselves on offense. Yao was a primary scorer on most of his Rockets teams.

Not sure I'd say he was one of the most overrated. After the first few seasons, very few people were proclaiming him the next Wilt Chamberlain or anything like that. And even though he didn't dominate like a Shaq or Duncan, for most of his seasons, he was one of the top 3-5 centers in the league.

[Killakobe81]

As for the Rox, this allows them to finally move on. From his contract and from the specualtion ...I think this will hurt inthe short-term, but be better in the long term.

They really need to tank, luck or trade for another superstar ...somehow. Sure the pistons won without one but tough to win a title without a top 10 NBA player and the Rox sans Yao does NOT have one ...heck in most cases you need a top 10 guy and 2 top 25-30 guys ...

[djohn2oo8]

As for the Rox, this allows them to finally move on. From his contract and from the specualtion ...I think this will hurt inthe short-term, but be better in the long term.

They really need to tank, luck or trade for another superstar ...somehow. Sure the pistons won without one but tough to win a title without a top 10 NBA player and the Rox sans Yao does NOT have one ...heck in most cases you need a top 10 guy and 2 top 25-30 guys ...

Exactly why they got rid of Adelman. He wanted to win, Rockets want to play the young guys and tank

[cheguevara]

this is actually good for the rockets. time to move on. Rocketfan should be happy today

[djohn2oo8]

Now is definitely the time to go back to the throwback unis

http://www.officialnbastore.com/images//nba_jerseys/houston_rockets/rockets_005.jpg

[baseline bum]

this is actually good for the rockets. time to move on. Rocketfan should be happy today

It's good for Rocket fans. It's pretty horrible news for Les Alexander though.

[djohn2oo8]

It's good for Rocket fans. It's pretty horrible news for Les Alexander though.

He knew the risk before he drafted him, no one to blame but himself

[baseline bum]

Now is definitely the time to go back to the throwback unis

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/6273/roxc.jpg

fify, tbh

[djohn2oo8]

fify, tbh

Worst uniforms in sports history, tbh

[baseline bum]

Worst uniforms in sports history, tbh

I disagree

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lkj79yJiot1qafosuo1_400.jpg

http://mopupduty.mop.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/chet-lemon.jpg

[lefty]

Now is definitely the time to go back to the throwback unis

http://www.officialnbastore.com/images//nba_jerseys/houston_rockets/rockets_005.jpg




Damn those were great

WTF was the Rockets marketing team thinking?

I remember Barkley making fun of those unis when the 95/96 started

He eventually had to wear them the following year :lol

[djohn2oo8]

I disagree

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lkj79yJiot1qafosuo1_400.jpg

http://mopupduty.mop.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/chet-lemon.jpg
:lol

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Debatable whether they're even the ugliest uniforms in the history of Houston's sports.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bgHGzPlAdwI/TaeWHdWJ9AI/AAAAAAAAANQ/4NoikxfUO3g/s1600/houston-astros.jpg

Anyone think this is a monster blow to the NBA's efforts to expand to China with the lockout looming? They could lose a season at the same time they lose their biggest draw to Chinese fans, a big but relatively new fanbase. One that might not return so easily to the fold.

[djohn2oo8]

Debatable whether they're even the ugliest uniforms in the history of Houston's sports.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bgHGzPlAdwI/TaeWHdWJ9AI/AAAAAAAAANQ/4NoikxfUO3g/s1600/houston-astros.jpg

Anyone think this is a monster blow to the NBA's efforts to expand to China with the lockout looming? They could lose a season at the same time they lose their biggest draw to Chinese fans, a big but relatively new fanbase. One that might not return so easily to the fold.

No way those are the ugliest. True classics right there. Yeah. Definitely big blow to NBA

[ambchang]

Either Sam Bowie 2.0, Bill Walton 3.0, or Greg Oden beta version.

It's sad, really, to see players this talented derailed by injuries.

[Kai]

leave it to a Yao retirement thread to turn into a retro jersey circle-jerk. I really hope we go back to the ketchup and mustard.

[sefant77]

http://chzmemebase.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/yao.png

[sefant77]

So....Rockets value will drop Cavaliers style or less?

[Kai]

So....Rockets value will drop Cavaliers style or less?

Houston is the 4th largest city in the US. They will never be Cleveland.

[djohn2oo8]

So....Rockets value will drop Cavaliers style or less?

less probably

[DJ Mbenga]

sad for him. class act. but even when healthy he was nothing more than a 30 min a game guy. after 5 minutes of running he looked like a 500 pound man running a marathon. his legacy is he made kobe bryant even richer than he could have dreamed of

[DMC]

He should have retired 4 years ago

[baseline bum]

leave it to a Yao retirement thread to turn into a retro jersey circle-jerk. I really hope we go back to the ketchup and mustard.

This is a pretty dope Yao throwback, tbh

http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/7779/yaothrowback.jpg

Better than the TMac model for sure.

[tlongII]

Yao was a great player. I wish he could have stayed healthy. I just hope Oden doesn't suffer the same fate.

[sefant77]

Yao was a great player. I wish he could have stayed healthy. I just hope Oden doesn't suffer the same fate.

Oden wont make not even Yaos 486 RS and 28 playoff games...

[Indazone]

http://www.jersey-guide.com/?p=18479

Not that it probably matters but there is an alternative report coming out of China.

July 8th, 2011 | Add a Comment
Xinhua News Agency July 8, Washington, sports news (reporter Liang Xiong) for local media reported Rockets center Yao Ming has decided to retire the news, Rockets China Marketing Manager Linda Long In an interview with Xinhua News Agency reporter 8 telephone interview, Rockets’ Yao Ming has not been on notice to retire.

“Yao Ming to retire we do not get the information,” Linda Long said, “We just learned today from Yao Ming, the media decided to retire before the news.”

because Yao Ming is not currently in the U.S., Xinhua News Agency reporters Tong Guoqi and Ta Qudao with Yao Ming’s Chinese agent BenQ made contact. BenQ said Yao, the first, there is no decision to retire; second, he did not notice the Rockets he wanted to retire.

“Houston Chronicle” 8 reported that the Rockets and Yao Ming has notified the NBA, he has decided to retire. The report said Yao’s decision the same day has been more than confirmed. In addition, the largest U.S. sports news network ESPN, Yahoo Sports and “Sports Illustrated” and other media have also reported that Yao Ming has decided to retire. Even an old teammate Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming old rival, has just retired the “big sharks” O’Neal on the same day, speak out. In praise Yao Ming of the NBA make a significant contribution, O’Neal also allow him to enjoy retirement, spend the holidays with him.

January 6 this year, Yao Ming received his left ankle surgery to repair, he was uncertain of his next Gairuhezou hold the attitude. He said in a statement: “In my recovery before the end nears, I will plan my career to make a decision.”

May 18, Yao Ming in Houston saw a doctor and from there got the exciting news of his left ankle recovered well. But he said now do not say you can return to the NBA next season, “now stand too early”, but “everything looks good,” The ability to continue playing next season have to wait until August or September before be conclusive. He said he can do is do a good job every day according to plan the restoration of the ankle, “Who knows what will happen tomorrow!” (End)

[Indazone]

More!

Today YAHOO! Sports announced that Yao Ming plans to retire from the NBA.

But according to a report from Chinese Web site Sina's sport's section, Yao has made no decision to leave the Houston Rockets.

According to Yao's Chinese agent Zhang Jiming, the star will not retire from the league, despite reports by YAHOO!

As with the recent questions over reports that Chinese ex-leader Jiang Zemin died, Chinese media is pitted against the foreign presses.

If Yao Ming has indeed decided to 'sit this one out' forever, maybe it's because the basketball star has taken quite the thrashing from opponents since becoming the top pick of the 2002 NBA draft.

Here's a little review of the injuries that may have contributed to Yao Ming's decision to sit this game out in perpetuity:

It's all about the left foot.

In 2005, he developed osteomyelitis in his left foot.

In 2006, Yao broke his left foot.

In 2011, he fractured his left ankle.

All the while, he was plagued by a slew of issues with his lower body.

In eight seasons, Yao missed 180 games.

He has a cult following in China, where basketball players wear jerseys with his name strewn across the back.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/176869/20110708/yao-ming-retired-rumor-sina-sports.htm

http://watchplayread.com/files/2010/12/Atrapitis.gif

[tlongII]

Oden wont make not even Yaos 486 RS and 28 playoff games...

That's your opinion and you're welcome to it.

[frodo]

in his prime he was a fine role player but he was never close to the standard of a franchise player imho. dude was horribly overrated due mainly to the retarded support by his chinks fans, really a shame in the history of NBA imho

[Indazone]

Keep sucking at the tit of retardville rogue

[Thunder Dan]

it's off to the Glue Factory for Yao, so long! hope you can fix my refrigerator magnet in a few months

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

it's off to the Glue Factory for Yao, so long! hope you can fix my refrigerator magnet in a few months
:lmao

[William Hung]

As a future hall of famer, this was a very classy thing for Yao to do. The most dominant big man the NBA has ever seen will be sorely missed.

[frodo]

Keep sucking at the tit of retardville rogue

chinks still licking his balls even when hes already retired :lol just pathetic i say, and thats the exact reason why you chinks are shown so little respect imho

[Danny.Zhu]

China is crying my friends...

[redzero]

it's off to the Glue Factory for Yao, so long! hope you can fix my refrigerator magnet in a few months

Thunder Dan is just baiting Rockets fans like he's supposed to.

[frodo]

SHITE knows his career is done since 2yrs ago but he chose to stay till his contract expires, only to swindle da 31m bucks from dem rockets. just a quintessence of chinks greed imho

[Danny.Zhu]

SHITE knows his career is done since 2yrs ago but he chose to stay till his contract expires, only to swindle da 31m bucks from dem rockets. just a quintessence of chinks greed imho

fuck you

[DeadlyDynasty]

:lmao

This forum has sorely missed the Rogue vs. Rocketfan war the past 2 seasons, imo.

lol @ Thunder Dan post...another throwback. :lol

[Spursfan092120]

z7WVB33HOtU

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

SHITE knows his career is done since 2yrs ago but he chose to stay till his contract expires, only to swindle da 31m bucks from dem rockets. just a quintessence of chinks greed imho
:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao

[DPG21920]

Deadly D, what's up bro.

[djohn2oo8]

:lmao

This forum has sorely missed the Rogue vs. Rocketfan war the past 2 seasons, imo.

lol @ Thunder Dan post...another throwback. :lol

That time brother Rogue and I had that long ass debate leading to the NBA forum getting shut down that night. :lol

[DeadlyDynasty]

Deadly D, what's up bro.

Trying to get out of my lease. Sup, bro?

[DeadlyDynasty]

That time brother Rogue and I had that long ass debate leading to the NBA forum getting shut down that night. :lol

That shit was great:lol

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

Hopefully Yi Jian Lian becomes relevant (crofl) so rogue has someone to crucify now that SHITE is retired

[Indazone]

Have fun eating Shite in all your many incarnations Rogue. I hear it's the main course besides licking elephant balls in the jungle.

[Bill_Brasky]

SHITE knows his career is done since 2yrs ago but he chose to stay till his contract expires, only to swindle da 31m bucks from dem rockets. just a quintessence of chinks greed imho

It's a fucking shame Yao retired.

I would love to hear some more of your material.

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

:cry:cry:cry I refuse to accept SHITE's NBA career ended with supreme disappointment:cry:cry:cry

[frodo]

Have fun eating Shite in all your many incarnations Rogue. I hear it's the main course besides licking elephant balls in the jungle.

it ain't no fun to beat the dead horse tbh, just saying da truth w/o no offense or personal insult. SHITE was a fine player from 02 to 09 despite missing da game injured every now and then. bitch was informed in 09 summer that he would miss out the entire 09-10 season and it'd be very uncertain if he could ever return to this game. if he really wanted to stay in this game he shoulda requested a salary cut for the 09-10 season, and also the next season where he only played 5 games in a total of 120 minutes. instead he acted like a bitch and get the full payment w/o no penny cut, getting 31 MF'N mill for 120 minutes of playing. when back healthy he'd be a fine role player, a decent backup C for Duncan for example but there would be no manager daring to sign this 7'6 whore imho.

da biggest #1 draft, da biggest draft failure in NBA history :lol

[boutons_deux]

The Plight Of The Super-Tall Basketball Player


http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/yao-ming.jpg

In general, taller NBA players have longer careers, but as Yao Ming’s retirement reminds us there are limits to this:

However, too much size turns out to be a bad thing. The curve inverts at 6-foot-10; that’s the optimal size for a career length, but at greater heights the injury risk outweighs the benefit of increased height. We see this somewhat with 7-footers, but it’s players of Yao’s size that really drive the point home.

Players who are 7-3 or taller just aren’t destined to have nice, orderly 15-year careers. Despite the size advantage that these players possess, not one of them has managed to have a 1,000-game NBA career. Eaton, at 875, came the closest.

Generally, they have back, knee or ankle problems after a few years, and from there it’s a war against their bodies. Smits and Ilgauskas were able to fight their feet to a draw and make a reasonable go of it; Yao, unfortunately, could not.

I used to love watching Yao play in his prime. Just such an unusual game.

http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/07/10/264628/the-plight-of-the-super-tall-basketball-player/