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19. Yao Ming: Bigger than Life
Yao Ming is one of the most influential
ever to live in the United States of
. So, how does a 22-year-old Chinese male, born
Shanghai, become an international superstar, who changes the
both cultures look at each other? Ming stands
'6", which makes him one of the tallest players
to play the game, but that is not
extent of his power. Ming was tall, and
.
Ming started his career in China, where he
for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball
. That was the season when the Sharks won
CBA championship. He was able to negotiate a
from his contract with the Sharks, making him
for the National Basketball Association draft in 2002.
was one of the most sought-after players ever
come from China, and he was eventually drafted
the Houston Rockets.
Ming found moderate success in
NBA. His size and strength made him a
presence. He was so big and talented that
could dominate any game just by being on
court. Ming led the Rockets to the team's
playoff appearance in several years, but his statistical
were not so impressive. Still, Ming was one
the most popular players in NBA history. The
loved him, and voted him into the All-Star
eight times.
Ming did create some degree of
from other players, most notably Shaquille O'Neal from
Los Angeles Lakers. O'Neal was one of the
dominant players in the game for a brief
of years, and in 2003, Ming outvoted O'Neal
an NBA fan vote by more than 250,000
. This angered O'Neal, who vowed to outplay Ming
the two giants met on the court.
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