Yao Ming, 41, was born and raised in Shanghai and began playing for the Sharks as a teenager.
Yao Ming later played for their senior team until 2002. The Houston Rockets then selected him with the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft.
Yao is one of China’s most well-known athletes. He was a popular sports icon not only in China but also in the United States. In China, he was known as the “Yao Ming Phenomenon,” and in the United States, he was known as the “Ming Dynasty.”
Similarly, Yao was a member of China’s national team. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. He announced his retirement in 2011 after suffering a series of foot and ankle injuries.
Yao had several outstanding performances in his playing career before retiring. Today, we bring you five of their most memorable moments. So, without further ado, let us take a look at it.
5 of Yao Ming’s Best Plays
This list was compiled using reliable sources such as OneManFastBreak.net and Bleacherreport. But first, let us take a quick look at the details.
| Yao Ming Best Plays |
| 5. 2002-03 season Houston VS Lakers game |
| 4. 2005 Playoff Series against the Mavericks, Game 2 |
| 3. Playoff Series against Lakers in 2009, Game 1 |
| 2. Yao’s 41-point score against the Hawks |
| 1. 2009 Playoff Series against Lakers, Game 1 |
5. Houston vs. Lakers game from the 2002-03 season
In the 2002-03 season, one of Yao Ming’s best plays came during a regular-season game. The Houston Rockets took on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Houston had Yao on their roster, while the Lakers had none other than Shaquille O’Neal (nicknamed “Shaq”). It was Shaq’s first time playing against someone bigger than him, and it was the same for Yao.
However, before the game, Shaq made insensitive remarks that became infamous as the Shaq-talk-Chinese soundbite. However, O’Neal later apologized for his insensitive remark, which Yao accepted.
The clash of these two titans has been dubbed “the game where the great wall meets the great Aristotle.”
Armoni Daetrell Brooks is a professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association. Learn more about him by clicking here!
4. Game 2 of the 2005 Playoff Series against the Mavericks
The next best play by Yao Ming occurred in a Playoff Series in Game 2 in 2005. Houston had Yao and McGrady as one of the league’s most dynamic duos. The Houston Rockets take on the Dallas Mavericks in this game.
Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks’ international star forward, was in the lineup. The two face off against each other in the playoffs, with Game 2 being the most competitive series meeting.
Yao had an almost flawless offensive performance. He scored 33 points on 13-of-14 shooting, including seven successful free throws, and added eight rebounds and two blocks.
Houston defeated the Mavericks 113-111 to take a 2-0 lead in the playoff series. Yao was instrumental in the Rockets’ 111-109 victory. He also helped set the screen for McGrady’s game-winning jumper.
3. Game 1 of the 2009 playoff series against the Trail Blazers
The third best play moment takes us back to 2009, to Game 1 of the Playoff Series. The Houston Rockets took on the Portland Trail Blazers.
Yao was able to cause damage within 24 minutes. He scored Houston’s first seven points and 16 of its first 18. Rick Adelman, his former coach, even said it was one of the best performances he had ever seen.
The final score was 108-81, with Houston leading the series. Yao’s outstanding performance in Game 1 altered the entire course of the series. It assisted Houston in reaching the second round for the first time since 1997.
2. Yao’s 41-point performance against the Hawks
Yao’s 2004 game against the Atlanta Hawks is on our number two. It was only his second season in the NBA, but he had already established himself as a key player for the Houston Rockets.
Yao played alongside Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley. This game featured one of the best individual performances of his career, with 41 points. He also had 16 rebounds and 7 assists in 50 minutes of play.
Joel Przybilla and Zeljko Rebraca of the opposing team fouled him while attempting to guard him. They were, however, unable to stop Yao. Yao made 11 of 13 free throw attempts in the game.
He was at his best by the final overtime. By changing Bob Sura’s layup at the buzzer, he scored his final eight points and led the Rockets 122-121.
Davis Bertans is a Latvian NBA scoring guard who plays for the Washington Wizards. Learn more about him by clicking here!
1. Game 1 of the 2009 Playoff Series against the Los Angeles Lakers
Finally, the best game Yao Ming ever played in Game 1 of the 2009 Playoff Series between Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers. It was his final full NBA season.
Yao was instrumental in Houston reaching the second round of the playoffs for the first time. Yao, however, collided knees with Kobe Bryant with five minutes remaining in the game. He was helped off the court by Houston’s trainer, and he chose not to have his knee examined despite the trainer’s advice.
Yao rejoined the game. Despite having the momentum on his side, he made a crucial 19-foot jump shot. Then, despite his injury, he made six successful free throws in the final minutes that gave Houston the big lead.
Similarly, Yao had a double-double of 28 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks. In the final 4 minutes 54 seconds, he scored eight of his 28 points. Game 1 was won by the Rockets by a score of 100-92.
Yao Ming was never the same after this game. He missed all of the games that season due to foot surgery. Yao will also miss all but five games of the upcoming season. Due to his injuries, he was forced to retire early.
Conclusion
These were the five best Yao Ming plays from his incredible career before injuries forced him to retire. Despite missing his prime due to injury, Yao is unquestionably one of the best players in NBA history.
You May Also Like To Read: Kornelia Ski, Greta Kukkonen