We'll Be Missing Yao: Yao Ming's Most Badass Moments

We'll Be Missing Yao: Yao Ming's Most Badass Moments

Houston, we have a problem. Yes, another problem. For the second straight year, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming will be sidelined by injury for the majority of the season. After missing the entire 2009-10 campaign with a broken bone in his left foot, Yao recently developed a stress fracture in his left ankle that will prevent him from playing until at least the 2011-12 season.

We say at least, because truthfully, we may have seen the last of Yao Ming in an NBA uniform. Like former big men Ralph Sampson, Brad Daugherty, Bill Walton, and Sam Bowie, Yao's tall frame has caused a string of leg, knee, and foot injuries that won't allow him to go hard in the paint like he used to anymore. So, just in case Yao's taken the court for the last time, we wanted to give him a proper send-off. From the hype that welcomed him into the league when he got drafted in 2002 to the disappointment that has plagued Houston the last two years, and everything in between, we've got Yao covered. Check out Yao Ming's Most Badass Moments...

Yao Appears at the 2002 NBA Draft Via Satellite

Date: June 26, 2002

Complex says: Our first thought after seeing the awkward high-five Yao shared with his parents on draft night: "Um, let's hope Yao is just a tad more graceful on the court than he is sitting at home with his 'rents." Still, it was kind of a G move for Yao to tell David Stern "thanks but no thanks" when he got invited to the draft so that he could spend time with his fam, right?

The "Yao Ming Song"

Date: Summer 2002

Complex says: How much did Houston love Yao Ming when he first signed with the Rockets? Enough to change the words of the popular soccer anthem "Ole, Ole, Ole," to create the "Yao Ming Song." It was a ditty that went a little something like this: (*clears throat*) "Yao Miiiiiiiiiiing, Yao Ming, Yao Ming, Yao Ming/Yao Miiiiiiiiiiiing, Yao Ming!" OK, so it wasn't exactly the most complicated song, and it's safe to say Houston fans are singing a much different tune, today, but back in 2002? Yao had the hottest song on the streets.

Yao Stands Up to Shaq

Date: January 17, 2003

Complex says: Yao's sole mission in life at the beginning of his career was simple: Stop Shaq. He didn't exactly do that in his first game against the big man (Shaq dropped 31 and grabbed 13 rebounds) but he did manage 10 points, 10 boards, and 6 blocks to help Houston get the W. And don't forget: He did it after Shaq said some pretty foul things about him in the days leading up to the game. Way to rep, Yao.

Visa's Super Bowl XXXVII Commercial

Date: January 26, 2003

Complex says: Even if Yao never plays again, he's one of the five most important basketball players in NBA history. Um, wait, what?! More important than Charles Barkley? Yup. More important than Bob Cousy? You got it. More important than Jerry Freakin' West? Yessir. Because commercials like this one—featuring a 22-year-old Yao, who could barely piece together a sentence in English—gave the NBA a marketable star that helped them make a major mark on the country of China (and its 1 billion people) over the course of the last decade. No shots, but has your favorite player been able to do that?

Yao on Jimmy Kimmel

Date: December 18, 2006

Complex says: Sooooo...are we really gonna pretend that Yao and Tracy didn't once admit that they watched Brokeback Mountain together? HA! Yao's unintentionally funny moments FTW.

Yao Gets Ejected Against Sacramento

Date: December 1, 2007

Complex says: It was great for the league that Yao eventually learned English. This way, he could communicate with fans in the States, do interviews with U.S. magazines without a translator, mutter to himself on the bench, and, after he fouled out of a game, he could tell the officiating crew to...oh, $&%*! Did Yao just get himself tossed from a game?

Yao Performs at a Charity Roast

Date: April 17, 2008

Complex says: Hey, Yao, if this basketball thing doesn't work out, we hear ComicView's got a few slots open. Seriously, though: From not speaking hardly any English...to roasting Jeff Van Gundy?!? Guess the joke was on us.

2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Date: August 8, 2008

Complex says: And no, it wasn't just because he was the easiest person to see.

Yao Tells Charles Barkley to "Eat The Head"

Date: November 20, 2008

Complex says: During a T-Mobile commercial, of course. Back when the Round Mound of Rebound was still actually taping funny commercials (please, no more KFC clips, Chuck!), Yao managed to show people that he was no longer the awkward, socially inept player he was when he first entered the league. We're just hoping his teammates taught him the value of a good "pause!" after this aired.

Yao Posterizes Bron Bron

Date: February 26, 2009

Complex says: If Yao hadn't been injured so often over the course of the last few years, he would have been able to do things like this all the time. And, unfortunately for LBJ, there aren't enough Nike reps in the world to make this posterizing dunk disappear. It's just too bad it sounds like we won't get to see more stuff like this.