Reports: Rockets' Yao Ming will retire

[BAMAPHIN 22]

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming has decided to retire after nine NBA seasons, Yahoo! Sports and the Houston Chronicle have reported, citing league sources.

Yao's contract had expired after this past season with the Rockets, who have missed the playoffs the last two seasons.

They played nearly all of that time without Yao as he battled various injuries. He was limited to five games last season after missing all of 2009-10.

Recently retired center Shaquille O'Neal congratulated Yao in an online video post.

"We're going to miss you, bro," O'Neal said. "You're one of the greatest players ever to come out of China. You're one of the greatest players, period. I'm going to miss you, brother. Enjoy retirement. Let's go on vacation, bro. Me and you."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=6749511

 

[Tunaphish429]

Bust? Great words from Shaq.

 

[PhinsPhan11]

That's a shame. It would have been nice for him to play without those nagging foot injuries.

 

[dreday]

yao ming:
8× NBA All-Star (2003–2009, 2011) (2011 doesnt really count though)
2× All-NBA Second Team (2007, 2009)
3× All-NBA Third Team (2004, 2006, 2008)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (2003)

 

[Clipse]

Good luck to him. Just too difficult to carry around a 310 lb, 7' 6" frame with a serious foot injury. Great player for a lot of years.