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[NBA Betting] Topic: Yao Ming's legacy is Hall of Fame worthy |
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J_Logan |
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#1 Posted: 7/8/2011 3:44:10 PM
But, with the international sensation suddenly retiring Friday, his legacy will be more about being an ambassador for the sport of basketball than his work on the court.
After being drafted No. 1 overall in 2002, and bringing in a massive audience to the NBA from his home country China, the 7-foot-6 monster took the sports world by storm. Unlike many 7-footers, who served more as gimmick projects than real prospects, Yao proved he belonged in the Association.
He went head-to-head with the finest big men in the Western Conference every night, holding his own against the likes of first-ballot HoF’ers Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan. For his career, Yao averaged 19 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks, with his best season coming in 2006-07 when he scored 25 points and pulled down 9.4 boards a night, but only played 48 games due to injuries.
Yao would continue to slow down after multiple foot and knee ailment, having played in just 160 games between the 2005-06 and 2007-08 seasons. He came back strong in 2008-09, putting up more than 19 points per game and suiting up for the Rockets 77 times, but again foot injuries would limit him to only five games in the next two seasons and eventually force Yao to retire.
Yao’s accomplishments were impressive for such a short time in the NBA - eight-time All-Star (thanks in part to the large Chinese fan vote), two All-NBA Second Team nods, and three All-NBA Third Team honors – but fall short against the on-court resume needed to land a spot in the Hall of Fame.
However, because of his instant impact on the game and, more importantly, the way he helped spread basketball to the far reaches of the globe, Yao Ming deserves a spot in Springfield, Mass.
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marnypoly |
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#2 Posted: 7/8/2011 6:22:11 PM 
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Whodeysb09 |
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#3 Posted: 7/8/2011 7:52:10 PM
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CrazyMilkMan |
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#4 Posted: 7/8/2011 8:19:23 PM
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waltertaylor24 |
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#5 Posted: 7/8/2011 10:24:57 PM |
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chekua51 |
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#6 Posted: 7/9/2011 1:11:39 AM
But HoF material? I don't think so.
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Mikado |
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#7 Posted: 7/9/2011 1:52:31 AM  
He's lucky he got to play as long as he did, somebody of his size - it was surprising he was able to make it past his sophomore year in the league.
However, I don't think he got enough time in the league to be considered a future HOFer. He was good, but not unstoppable.
If anything you can probably credit him for improving the image of the NBA overseas. But not give him a HOF award for that. |
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gamble04 |
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#8 Posted: 7/9/2011 3:24:45 AM |
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Gbobgunn |
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#9 Posted: 7/9/2011 5:04:47 AM 
If only China could vote him in like they did for last year's All-Star team. It would be a international goodwill gesture towards our Asian brethren but I don't think it's deserved.
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D_Unit |
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#10 Posted: 7/9/2011 9:11:50 PM
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Laroja |
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#11 Posted: 7/10/2011 10:48:56 AM
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JerryWrasse |
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#12 Posted: 7/10/2011 1:37:55 PM Everyone here does realize its the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, not the National Basketball Association Hall of Fame, right? |
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JakeLake720 |
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#13 Posted: 7/10/2011 5:59:37 PM
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NewDarkDay |
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#14 Posted: 7/10/2011 8:05:29 PM QUOTE Originally Posted by JakeLake720:
LOCK for the Hall of Fame
NOT A CHANCE IN HELL
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MoneyShot |
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#15 Posted: 7/10/2011 8:06:09 PM |
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MoneyShot |
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#16 Posted: 7/10/2011 8:10:00 PM QUOTE Originally Posted by marnypoly:
If he's in then so should Horry
lol, why should horry get in??? just because he got lucky to be in the right place at the right time to get all his rings? Horry was a clutch shooter but no way he deserves to sniff the hall of fame. He was a good role player at best...Yao would made a lot of all star games even w/o chinas help so how many all-star games has horry made? no nba player has ever made the hall as a player w/o making an all-star team that i can think of.. has horry ever made all nba 2nd or 3rd team like yao?? |
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#17 Posted: 7/10/2011 8:17:24 PM QUOTE Originally Posted by NewDarkDay:
NOT A CHANCE IN HELL
lol, you will be wrong, whether or not he deserves to get in is for debate BUT mark my words he will get in the hall... Yao will make the hall probably on the level of the 'contributor' label.. here is an article that by matt moore on that and i really think it makes sense..
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/10/jeff-van-gundy-yao-a-hall-of-famer/
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#18 Posted: 7/10/2011 10:14:37 PM
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mr_bollox |
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#19 Posted: 7/13/2011 1:09:35 AM  |
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