Yao Ming gave the Houston Rockets a solid eight years in the NBA.
During his time there, he developed into an All-Star big man and learned to use his extraordinary size and skills to his advantage.
At 7'6″, Yao was a formidable opponent for NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, and matched him in size and strength.
O'Neal gained much respect for Yao over the course of his career and the two even became friends.
During their Hall of Fame enshrinement, it was fitting that O'Neal had nothing but praise and respect for Yao being the league's first Chinese player to excel in the NBA.
What made this even more special is that O'Neal only respects great big men, and those who he feels play the center position with excellence.
Yao's a fabulous player, one-of-a-kind, 7-7 with excellent skills. Nobody blocked my shot. Nobody and I played against the best. The first time I played against Yao, he blocked it three times in a row. I had to get angry and start dunking. But you can't stop Yao. You just have to stay in front of him and hope he'll miss. He'd get it, look at you and shoot it right over you. He was probably my toughest match up.
I'm happy for Yao. I'm happy for China, probably my favorite place.
Couldn't be said about a nicer guy.
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