Even through an injury-riddled career that prompted his retirement, Yao Ming's legacy leaves a definitive imprint on the NBA.
As the Houston Rockets' No. 1 pick in the 2002 NBA draft, Yao clearly showed that he was worth the hype. He finished with career averages of 19.0 points and 9.2 rebounds, including two seasons when he averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds. He climbed up to sixth place on the Rockets' all-time scoring list in points (9,247) and rebounds (4,494) and trailed only Hakeem Olajuwon in blocks. And as seen firsthand by Kobe Bryant during his yearly tours in Asia, Yao significantly enhanced the NBA's brand in China.(kobe bryant)
"In terms of opening up doors for Chinese basketball players to come to the NBA, or for the youth here in China to believe that it’s possible to achieve the dream of being an NBA player, all that started from Yao," Bryant told reporters in China.
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