Celebrity Info
Yao Ming, the towering Chinese basketball player, captivated fans across America and the globe with his remarkable, almost effortless passing and shooting skills during his tenure with the Houston Rockets from 2002 to 2011. Born on September 12, 1980, in Shanghai, China, Yao was the only child of two former professional basketball players. His extraordinary height was evident even in his early years—by third grade, he was already five feet seven inches tall. As a result, he began playing basketball at a junior sports school when he was just nine years old.
Interestingly, Yao was initially more passionate about military history than basketball. However, he decided to try out for the Shanghai Sharks’ youth team and eventually worked his way onto the adult team during his high school years. In his rookie season with the Sharks, he averaged 10 points and eight rebounds. By the time he led the team to its first-ever Chinese Basketball Association championship in 2002, Yao was averaging more than 38 points per game.
His impressive performance naturally drew the attention of the National Basketball Association. However, there was initial resistance from China to let their star player leave. After several years of unsuccessful contract negotiations, Yao Ming made history by becoming the first Chinese player to enter the NBA draft in 2001. He was selected in the first round by the Houston Rockets in 2002. Despite skepticism from sports analysts and some racially tinged hazing from other players, Yao managed to average 13.5 points per game in his rookie season. Moreover, he became the first rookie since 1995 to start in an NBA All-Star game.
Yao’s second year in the league was even more impressive. In a 2004 matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, he scored an astounding 41 points and recorded 7 assists. His leadership was key in improving the Rockets’ record from a dismal 28-54 the previous season to 43-49. Over the next five years, Yao continued to shine both in the NBA and on the international stage with the Chinese national team. He earned All-Star honors for six consecutive seasons and helped the Rockets reach the playoffs in 2004, 2005, and again from 2007 to 2009. In the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, Yao averaged 20.7 and 19 points per game, respectively, for China.
Unfortunately, his success came at a cost. Yao Ming struggled with injuries throughout his time with the Rockets. A broken foot during the 2008-2009 season kept him out of action for the entire following year. He made a brief return in 2010 but suffered a stress fracture that eventually led to his retirement in 2011.
Following his retirement, Yao dedicated himself to various charitable causes, particularly wildlife conservation. He also took on a leadership role as president of his former team, the Shanghai Sharks, and pursued a degree in economics from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. In 2016, Yao Ming was honored with induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to a player whose influence extended far beyond the court.
So, when it comes to Ming Yao’s most acclaimed work, a lot of people tend to point toward The Year of the Yao from 2004—it really stands out as Ming Yao’s highest rated film. It gives a personal and insightful look into his early career and has been praised for its heartfelt storytelling. Over the years, fans and critics alike have consistently ranked it at the top when discussing Ming Yao’s contributions to film and media.
On the other hand, if we shift focus to the lower end of the spectrum, Linsanity (2013) generally receives more mixed or less enthusiastic responses in comparison. While it’s an interesting documentary with its own merits, it doesn’t quite resonate as strongly with audiences when measured against Ming Yao’s other projects. So overall, when you’re evaluating Ming Yao’s body of work, it’s clear that The Year of the Yao remains a standout favorite, whereas Linsanity tends to sit at the lower end of the ratings. Definitely worth noting if you’re exploring Ming Yao’s impact beyond the court.
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