Houston Rockets: Top 15 Greatest All-Time (6-10)

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Nov 16, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets former center

Yao Ming

watches a game during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 122-111. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

7. Yao “The Great Wall” Ming

Yao slides in at #7 as the Rockets’ third or fourth greatest center of all-time. With the Rockets, Yao averaged 19 points per game, 9.1 rebounds per game and 1.7 blocks per game.

Yao was crucial in the Rockets’ playoff run in 2009 but that was really the last time we saw a dominant Ming, after he suffered a foot injury during the semi-finals. He was never able to shake off that injury and eventually had to cut his career short due to multiple foot injuries.

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Even while battling injuries, Yao was a model of consistency night-in and night-out when he played. He was one of few big men over 7’0 to have a free-throw shooting percentage of 80 percent or higher, and he often dominated when matched up against the other team’s best center.

Back in 2012, the Rockets honored his efforts by retiring his No. 11 jersey, hoisting it up to the rafters of Toyota Center. Many of us were shocked by the timing of the announcement, just one year after his retirement but most of us widely-accepted that the honor was warranted.

It may be quite some time before this team has another big man of his stature, plus he made the Rockets a ton of money because of his prominent global presence so it’s an honor that’s totally deserved.

He was also an All-Star in each of the eight seasons that he appeared in a Rockets’ uniform.

Because of injuries and having his career shortened, it is hard to put Yao (who could still be playing in the NBA to this day) any higher on this list. For now “The Great Wall” stays in the top 10.

Next: CLICK HERE for #6.: A Legacy-Esque Ballplayer

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