The Story Behind Yao Ming

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  • čas přidán 15. 06. 2024
  • An indelible figure and bona fide icon whose jaw-dropping size, immense talent, and incredible popularity pushed the NBA to new frontiers, paved the way for a generation of international superstars, and ultimately solidified basketball as a truly global sport.
    Written & Narrated by: Jonah Birenbaum (@Birenball | Twitter)
    Produced & Edited By: Zack Underhill (@ZackUnderhill | Instagram)
    Thumbnail Design by: Justin Shipley (@shipleysportstudio | Instagram)
    Courtesy List: controlc.com/867f81e4
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    #YaoMing #HoustonRockets #NBA
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Komentáře • 128

  • @MannyMensah94
    @MannyMensah94 Před rokem +80

    Yao was a very good player. Unfortunately, injuries derailed him. I'm Happy that he's in hall of fame ...

  • @quincybryant5231
    @quincybryant5231 Před rokem +32

    His personality was everything.

  • @newagestudios408
    @newagestudios408 Před rokem +54

    As a Rockets fan i still wonder what if T Mac and Yao could’ve stayed healthy for a long period of time together

    • @anthonymorales5482
      @anthonymorales5482 Před rokem +2

      Yup. Man that 08-09 Rockets team should’ve been the one to go all they way

    • @lexluthor4156
      @lexluthor4156 Před rokem

      Embiid played 158 games in his first 3, Zion played 85. Yao played 244 games
      Imagine If the Rockets had nourished Yao like what the NBA is doing today for all the high pick "abnormal "body type rookies (nutrition, bodybuilding, and training). We may have another ring or at least a much, much better built arena if you know what I mean.
      But no, had to grab that quick cash and play him all but two games in his first three years... An ultra-tall kid from a third world county (China's GDP was less than 1/10 of today).

    • @billblaski9523
      @billblaski9523 Před 10 měsíci

      Ironically, the farthest Houston ever made it in the playoffs were when Yao and T-Mac were injured

    • @laod7192
      @laod7192 Před měsícem

      I think the real issue is that T-mac never proved himself outside his mixtape.

    • @edp2506
      @edp2506 Před měsícem

      @@anthonymorales5482 Steve Francis had good chemistry with Yao as well. and if he(Francis) didn't start to have injuries, that guy is electric too.

  • @sunflash101
    @sunflash101 Před rokem +56

    Despite having his professional career cut short due to injuries that were entirely out of his control, Yao Ming will go down as one of the most influential figures in NBA history. His career single handedly allowed the NBA to grow into the league they are and all the massive contracts these new stars are signing are a direct result of Yao opening the NBA to the Chinese market.

    • @fcemonster
      @fcemonster Před rokem +8

      NBA players should thank him for their ridiculously enormous contract/salary.

    • @billblaski9523
      @billblaski9523 Před 10 měsíci +1

      Think about this: Shaq was in the NBA for like what 8, 9 years before Yao. But they both got inducted into the Hall of Fame the same year!

  • @nbapbaupdate8338
    @nbapbaupdate8338 Před rokem +16

    Yao Ming in his prime UNSTOPPABLE 🔥🔥🔥

    • @hectorlopez1069
      @hectorlopez1069 Před rokem

      But, he wasn't unstoppable in the playoffs, he didn't get past the first round until 2009 when he eliminated the trailblazers.

  • @amricktuapen4612
    @amricktuapen4612 Před rokem +6

    Very Underrated Channel... Keep up the good work guys

  • @evanmejia269
    @evanmejia269 Před rokem +14

    I’m honestly shocked you don’t have more subscribers. U make great and detailed videos. Love the content 👍🏼

  • @iamidnight9731
    @iamidnight9731 Před rokem +9

    Finally a Yao story.👍

  • @Albert8044
    @Albert8044 Před rokem +11

    Yao Ming made his NBA rookie season debut during an era of shutdown team defense and he fit in nicely as a big man Center and it didn't take him long to adjust.

    • @hectorlopez1069
      @hectorlopez1069 Před rokem

      He should have won the rookie of the year award, but it went to Amare Stoudemire.

  • @StayINCheck
    @StayINCheck Před rokem +13

    Mom 6’3 is crazzzyyy😮‍💨no wonder he ended up 7ft+

  • @JiTiAr35
    @JiTiAr35 Před rokem +6

    Thank you Rockets for taking care of one of the most iconic NBA players ever.

  • @reb349
    @reb349 Před rokem +11

    If he was coming into the league now, I believe Yao would have had a longer career. Maybe he wouldn't have gotten hurt as he wouldn't have needed to pack as much weight.
    He always had a good jumpshot so if he was encouraged to shoot 3s I imagine he would have been able to do it.

    • @hectorlopez1069
      @hectorlopez1069 Před rokem

      He was not good at shooting 3s in his career. He was 2-10 from the three point line.

    • @reb349
      @reb349 Před rokem +1

      @Hector Lopez different era and he never trained for it. But he making jumpers 20 feet out at quite a decent clip. If he was actually trained to shoot 3s he might have done much better

  • @midnightmonkey92
    @midnightmonkey92 Před rokem +20

    There’s more people playing basketball in China than there are American people in general. Mind blowing.

    • @jonathanlindqvist2328
      @jonathanlindqvist2328 Před rokem +1

      Uhm no way

    • @hrishirao4152
      @hrishirao4152 Před rokem

      @@jonathanlindqvist2328 1.4 billion people in china 2/7 playing basketball is not that crazy

    • @Garnopolis
      @Garnopolis Před rokem +1

      Literally not true.

    • @abouttime2569
      @abouttime2569 Před rokem +6

      @@jonathanlindqvist2328 Just googled it. More than 300 million Chinese people play basketball. U.S. population is 330 million. It is unclear that there are more Chinese playing basketball than the U.S. population but you can't say it is untrue.

    • @abouttime2569
      @abouttime2569 Před rokem +3

      @@Garnopolis Just googled it. More than 300 million Chinese people play basketball. U.S. population is 330 million. It is unclear that there are more Chinese playing basketball than the U.S. population but you can't say it is untrue.

  • @paulrenteria9417
    @paulrenteria9417 Před rokem +6

    The 2nd best Houston Rocket in my eyes, only behind The Dream... Yao was a sight to see play... Really miss that guy.... There's not a doubt in my mind that if he never got plagued by injuries, he would've been one of the best of all time... Thanks for all the special moments Yao🤘🏼🚀🤘🏼🚀🤘🏼🚀

    • @lexluthor4156
      @lexluthor4156 Před rokem

      Embiid played 158 games in his first 3, Zion played 85. Yao played 244 games
      If the Rockets had nourished Yao like what the NBA is doing today for all the high draw pick rookie (nutrition, bodybuilding, and training), maybe we may have a ring, at least a much, much well build arena if you know what I meant.
      But no, had to grab that quick cash and play him all but two games in his first three years... An ultra-tall kid from a third world county (China's GDP was less than 1/10 of today).

  • @dreamshake2710
    @dreamshake2710 Před rokem +2

    Great video, quality content. I loved watching Yao live, there will never be another player like him.

    • @hectorlopez1069
      @hectorlopez1069 Před rokem

      He was fun to watch in basketball. He had one of the sweetest shots ever for a 7'6 center.

  • @lmp9726
    @lmp9726 Před rokem +3

    Very well-done video and reporting. Yao was a monster.

  • @XabzintheNBAGuru
    @XabzintheNBAGuru Před rokem +3

    Unguardable🤝🤞

  • @pzooka
    @pzooka Před rokem +3

    One of the best true 7 footers the NBA has ever seen

  • @seyahtan24
    @seyahtan24 Před rokem +5

    He still made the HoF though and his 2009 rockets squad would've probably made it all the way if it wasn't for Kobe and the Lakers. I remember they took em to game 7. A big W of a career.

    • @josephgabrielbautista3149
      @josephgabrielbautista3149 Před rokem +3

      If Yao wasn't injured on their series against the lakers on 09, it might have been Yao v Dwight in the 09 Finals

    • @joeymini6556
      @joeymini6556 Před rokem +4

      @@josephgabrielbautista3149 Rockets will win vs Orlando at that time. Lakers easily win againts Orlando 4-1 and have a much harder times agiants Rockets. Dwight never outscored Yao in any games so I think Rockets will win 09

    • @vickpanchal5559
      @vickpanchal5559 Před rokem +1

      @@joeymini6556 Yeah the Rockets win a title in this scenario even without Mcgrady. Dwight was always heavily reliant on his athleticism and Yao would have swatted every attempt at the rim, completely dismantling Van Gundy's inside out offense.

    • @amplesstratleholm7609
      @amplesstratleholm7609 Před rokem

      Yao went in the HoF as a contributor, but he definitely has the talent to get in as a HoF player. Sucks that injuries took that away from him.

  • @justinrussell851
    @justinrussell851 Před rokem +2

    Great tribute video to Yao.

  • @smolaether
    @smolaether Před rokem +12

    Damn injuries, he could’ve been an all time great if his feet and legs held up.

    • @hectorlopez1069
      @hectorlopez1069 Před rokem

      It is sad he didn't take care of his legs and feet.

  • @loseyourself6881
    @loseyourself6881 Před rokem +9

    Early gang who's here?

  • @KidBakz
    @KidBakz Před 10 měsíci +1

    One of the few centers Shaq had a problem with, hate that he had a short career but still better than the centers today

    • @billblaski9523
      @billblaski9523 Před 10 měsíci

      Dawg, that first game they played against each other, that first 3, 4 minutes where Yao blocked Shaq 3 times and scored 6 points was wild! That Houston crowd was rocking!

  • @Space_Ache
    @Space_Ache Před 2 měsíci

    Nothing but respect for the Little Giant.

  • @markreyna4209
    @markreyna4209 Před rokem +4

    Yao had so much potential, sad injuries ruined his career.

    • @hectorlopez1069
      @hectorlopez1069 Před rokem

      Injuries stopped him from winning the league MVP Award.

  • @ceufrscio707
    @ceufrscio707 Před rokem +3

    Legend

  • @grahamn4687
    @grahamn4687 Před rokem +3

    They really broke the thesaurus out for this one huh

  • @high-defRJ
    @high-defRJ Před 7 měsíci

    The impact that Yao Ming left is one of the best ever, if not as one of the top influential players in NBA history. Drafted at number one, and also be a focal point of the team, and be one of the best in the league - and being a HOFer, Yao helped shatter some of the stereotypes of Asians in western culture. When the league has been predominantly white/black since it's early years, it's still going to be rare to find that next star who is of a full-blooded Asian descent and looks like Yao who can be multi-All Star with All-NBA talent with a chance of being drafted atop of a draft.
    Yao is once in a generation talent, glad to have seen him play and root for Yao and the Rockets whenever they were on nationally televised game.

  • @Zikoom
    @Zikoom Před rokem +2

    If he didn’t get worked so hard by China in the off season he would be one of the greats

    • @billblaski9523
      @billblaski9523 Před 10 měsíci

      Exactly, we all forget after the NBA season, he had to back to China and play on their national team during the summers. He was basically playing basketball all year his 1st three years

  • @davidli7286
    @davidli7286 Před rokem +1

    my dawg

  • @nbapbaupdate8338
    @nbapbaupdate8338 Před rokem +4

    Jaylen Brown next video theScore 🙏🙏🙏

  • @eternalsnowman8217
    @eternalsnowman8217 Před rokem +2

    3:46 is Japanese not Chinese, but great video!

  • @becraftcorey
    @becraftcorey Před rokem

    killing me, the great wall lmao. could never get away with that in modern times.

  • @nagisakowrau
    @nagisakowrau Před rokem +1

    That Chicago sign the fan held up was Japanese btw

  • @GunnGunn10
    @GunnGunn10 Před rokem +1

    Internet legend as well

  • @4fawksake707
    @4fawksake707 Před rokem +3

    it's crazy, Chinese Gov't milked Yao's earnings.. smfh

    • @masquerade41120
      @masquerade41120 Před rokem +2

      US govt takes almost 50% of nba salary right off the bat. sure, chinese govt swoops in for another 20% seems excessive, but it's not the only one doing it.

  • @oicmacbens8788
    @oicmacbens8788 Před rokem

    would have loved to see him healthy all throughout his career and enjoyed his immense talent.

  • @migo3841
    @migo3841 Před rokem

    pioneer slim big man yaoming

  • @freeguy3751
    @freeguy3751 Před rokem +1

    I appreciate the video, I've always wondered why Yao retired so early.
    I have to disagree though that Yao is the guy who gets the most credit for paving the way for international stars. Dirk Nowitzki deserves the most credit.

  • @FullAznBlood
    @FullAznBlood Před rokem +2

    Take a shot everytime he says Yao

  • @hectorlopez1069
    @hectorlopez1069 Před rokem

    His mom and dad were professional basketball players in their home country of China. China is a country with a deep love of basketball.

  • @meegs699
    @meegs699 Před rokem +2

    Y’all might wanna hire a few Chinese people before finishing the edit, 3 second frame if a Japanese poster is mad funny

  • @cams2kk
    @cams2kk Před 8 měsíci +1

    momma yao is badass

    • @edp2506
      @edp2506 Před měsícem

      😁 in a loving way.

    • @cams2kk
      @cams2kk Před 27 dny

      @@edp2506 respectfully

  • @spencerkirkey9500
    @spencerkirkey9500 Před rokem +1

    Yo Eduardo Najera was jacked af

  • @yikuanli
    @yikuanli Před rokem +2

    The sign in the photo at 3:42 is Japanese. Not sure how that fits with the narrative…

  • @flack2998
    @flack2998 Před rokem

    10:14 “ITS MING TIME”
    *wears lakers jersey*

  • @renzodegrano7943
    @renzodegrano7943 Před rokem

    When are y'all gonna do the story of dirk?

  • @kenjischroeder5062
    @kenjischroeder5062 Před rokem +4

    3:44 did they really use a Japanese sign as a way to show the growing popularity of basketball in China? Uneducated af

  • @jrsdt2ndaccount30
    @jrsdt2ndaccount30 Před rokem +2

    But wtf is that contract with the government…

  • @christopherdonaldson8231
    @christopherdonaldson8231 Před měsícem

    4:04 Wang Zhizhi

  • @lexluthor4156
    @lexluthor4156 Před rokem

    Embiid played 158 games in his first 3, Zion played 85. Yao played 244 games
    Imagine If the Rockets had nourished Yao like what the NBA is doing today for all the high pick "abnormal "body type rookies (nutrition, bodybuilding, and training). We may have another ring or at least a much, much better built arena if you know what I mean.
    But no, had to grab that quick cash and play him all but two games in his first three years... An ultra-tall kid from a third world county (China's GDP was less than 1/10 of today).

  • @hectorlopez1069
    @hectorlopez1069 Před rokem

    The NBA got so big in China once he was drafted by the rockets in the number 1 pick in the 2002 NBA draft.

    • @billblaski9523
      @billblaski9523 Před 10 měsíci

      Lol a bunch of his Rockets teammates got shoe deals in China just cus of how much they were on TV in China

  • @paulyiustravelogue
    @paulyiustravelogue Před rokem +2

    Yao got skills, there is no doubt about it. However, IMHO his conditioning early on, and than later health failed him.

  • @al-nur999
    @al-nur999 Před rokem

    Yao is way to big for his talent. He's on pace on becoming one of the greatest centers ever if not for injuries.

  • @BraedonLinks
    @BraedonLinks Před rokem +1

    Love the videos, but we gotta do better on pronouncing Chinese names. Like 1 in 10 of Toronto is Chinese, and so probably 1 in 20 is a native Mandarin speaker. Wouldn't hurt to get some direction on how to pronounce names. Still better than most I guess.

  • @ryanvas6
    @ryanvas6 Před rokem +3

    Chet.

  • @jackwoopxu
    @jackwoopxu Před rokem

    姚明牛逼

  • @Max.Hartmann
    @Max.Hartmann Před rokem

    Yea he was literally "breeded" for Basketball. What you forget to mention is that his parents were forced to marry b Chinese Communist Party. They were from totally different parts from China. Was no coincidence that the tallest Chinese baller marries tallest female baller of China. He had to train all and every day from childhood on, he once said he actually didnt like Basketball when he was young. Still many people claim the NBA somehow "invented" Yao to make money in China, but no it was other way round. China breeded him to boost CBA's reputation.

  • @donaldtrumpy5914
    @donaldtrumpy5914 Před 8 měsíci

    Wang Shishi😂

  • @b-ron385
    @b-ron385 Před rokem

    Chinese eugenics program.

  • @macksss4079
    @macksss4079 Před rokem

    watch jxmy video about him, really tells his story

  • @parkchunjae8471
    @parkchunjae8471 Před 5 měsíci

    I still think James Harden is more compatible with him

  • @real4life335
    @real4life335 Před rokem +3

    dum-bass channel really showed japanese words/fans LMFAO

  • @ray101892
    @ray101892 Před rokem +2

    Being that tall certainly puts more pressure on the knees and ankles but I wonder how much conditioning played a part on his fragility. Chinese food is not exactly heavy on protein.

  • @subteleties
    @subteleties Před rokem

    U

  • @kingjro2
    @kingjro2 Před rokem

    If only his knees held up. :(

  • @anthonydemetriou9335
    @anthonydemetriou9335 Před rokem

    Why does this guy talk so weird...

  • @mcdus78
    @mcdus78 Před rokem

    His first game was terrible though.

  • @Jetpackguyy
    @Jetpackguyy Před rokem

    overrated

  • @GuavaConQueso
    @GuavaConQueso Před rokem +4

    Imo Yao sort of overrated. His biggest contribution was opening up China as a market and that benefits the NBA bottom line and has the biggest impact on the salary cap as seen in the '16 off-season but it's not like he started a pipeline of Chinese talent to the NBA, so he deserves no praise for the current international player pool.
    As far as on-court yea He was good but saying he would have the top 10 center is a big stretch. I don't think he wins a championship in his prime or as the number one guy. Andrew Bynum at 24 before his knee injury put up 18.7 11.8 1.4 ast and 1.9 blocks. Yao at 24 put up 18.3 8.4 0.8 ast and 2.0 blks.

    • @paulbaker9086
      @paulbaker9086 Před rokem +15

      Awful take, dude.

    • @GuavaConQueso
      @GuavaConQueso Před rokem

      @@paulbaker9086 no not at all. The only thing debatable is how good could he have been.

    • @joeymini6556
      @joeymini6556 Před rokem +10

      @@GuavaConQueso you should compare his peak.. Yao in 2006 before his major injury is average 26 11 and 2 blk.. And he was a second option in scoring behing tmac

    • @GuavaConQueso
      @GuavaConQueso Před rokem

      @@joeymini6556 that's Yao age 26 season. Bynum last nba season was his 26 age season because he couldn't regain his ability after missing the previous year. They're age 22 is also comparable. Yao definitely had a better peak with that season, but I don't think a healthy Yao radically changes NBA history outside of his placement in all time stats.

    • @BigTymers1211
      @BigTymers1211 Před rokem +3

      @@GuavaConQueso Its not all about stat. Look at all the prime Centers in the league today (AD, KAT, Joel, BAM, Jokic), what are their common points? Center that are strong and mobile, can shoot 3, and can handle the ball (actually dribble the ball at open court), and who started that trend for centers? Avydaous Sabonis (he was way too damaged by the time he's in NBA), Dirk (he's a 7ft forward that got shoved to Center under Don Nelson, but I digress) and Yao.
      Bynum was a fucking bum that never really have the desire to be better anyway (just ask his bowling ball and that 3 point shot against Warriors in 2012). If you actually watch Yao's game before all those injuries started, he was getting used to the NBA and making a name of himself as option 1/1A of Rockets (with Tmac), and Bynum is the 3RD/4th Option on a team with Kobe and Pau, sometimes even behind Odom. Yao influenced the current group of great Centers, so I will say he's not overrated (unless you wanna call Shaq Overrated as well)

  • @sjiang120
    @sjiang120 Před rokem +2

    Yao is very much overrated. Without being a Chinese, he would not be HOF. And I'm Chinese.