A short story behind Yao's jersey number: Yao chose number 11, because that was the jersey number of his girlfriend Ye Li then . (He wore number 15 for Shanghai Sharks before moving to NBA). 6'3'' Ye Li played center for her national team and attended the 2004 Olympics. Moreover number 11 resembles "YY" which combined the initials of this basketball couple Yao&Ye. Yao even printed "YY-11" on the back of his BMW that he used in Houston. Yao chased this girl for almost half a year until she agreed to start their first date in 2000. Ye Li was Yao's first love and the only love. They got married in 2007. Their daughter Amy was born 2010. Great athlete. Sweet couple. Beautiful family.
actually yao wanted to have more babies but sadly the policy in China restricted every couple can only give birth to one baby or else they would have to pay half of their total income last year to the government.Because yao is the owner of the Shanghai Sharks, he would have to pay a lot in order to have another baby which is why he didnt do that
Yao was such a nice person, a great teammate, and a dominate center. He is the true embodiment of all the great things about Chinese culture. So proud of him for what he has accomplished. One cannot imagine the immense pressure and expectation Yao had faced when he first joined the NBA. Yao is an icon. Will be remembered as one of greatest player that has huge impact on the game
He was literally engineered by the Chinese to make China look good in bball. Yao hates baseketball, and wanted to be anarchaeologist but he was forced by the Chinese gov't to play ball since birth.
Not just that. Many Houston rockets alumni were invited to play in China, like T-Mac, A Brooks, Wells, Francis, etc. Their pockets grew bigger b/c of the Chinese market and Chinese fans lol
the worst part of it was when one was clear for playing, the other would then get injured.. when both yao and tmac were on the floor actually healthy together they were fucking dangerous... man life is a bitch aint it.. not everyone can be winners but everyone sure can leave a lasting impression with enough dedication and work. Yao and Tmac never won rings but to the city of houston, these guys are fucking legendary...
@@nbafanfirst3453 add more common there. The role players are so bad when they are still healthy. The role players are much better after they got injured. We remember those names, scola, landary, brooks…also Artest stay for one year, he is something.
I'm glad that Yao has been recognized for what he's done on and off the court. A very heartfelt speech. Truly a shame his career had to be cut short. ~ Kido
Yao brought me into NBA world. My memory is full of those moments that I watched Rockets game with my father back when I was young. Now, I have been abroad by myself for more than 7 years, Yao has retired, and I have not got a chance to watch a game with my father again for long time. I do miss my family, I do miss those moments, Thank you Yao, and Thank you Houston rockets for all of those memories. Barry, Alston, David Wesley, Juwan Howard, Mobley, Battier, Weatherspoon, Luther Head, Bobby Jackson, Hayes, Laundry....forgive me if I spell some of the names wrong, I don't know English at all back at time. With all the respect to LBJ, KD, Curry, Klay, Harden...but my most beautiful memory paused at those names listing above. Best wishes everyone, happy Chinese New Year
one of the best center of all time,my idol，he has a great influence of the chinese people.I was about 15. 16years old 10 years ago, almost all boys could play more or less Basketball at that time because of him , his greatness is not only about 20PPG 10RPG,his coming to NBA just changed the life of the boys in my Generation.......his speech just brings me back to the old days that I played basketball with my friends on the court in the whole afternoon，time really has wings.
Bruh, Yao's dad is 6'7" and mom is 6'3", imagine how tall his daughter is gona be with a 7'6" dad and 6'4" mother. even crazy is if he had a son. hes probably gona be 8 feet tall or something
That memory of Yao working out prior to playing a game in the NBA. They showed him with a trainer working on his footwork and his midrange shots. His touch around the rim from 10-15 ft was absolutely incredible. I swear he hit around 25 straight shots while posting up a big guy. Spot up, turn around, fade away jumpers all net. He wasn’t quick. But he was very skilled and had a great jumper. 7’5” dude that had a release as high as the rim is pretty much unblockable. Some of the best days in the NBA.
Choked up watching this. The 90s championships are the best memories for me but my second favorite memories as a Rockets fan were the Yao and T-Mac teams of the 2000s. The heartbreak of injuries just really leave me wondering what if.
Yao Ming accounted for big part of my member when I was a kid and teenager, I just miss the day that NBA still have Yao,T- mac, AI, Garnett, pp...... I just took basketball as granted back in these days.
Yao and Kobe were the only 2 players who actually implemented Hakeem's game into their own. If Yao were healthy and played a full career, he would be among the greatest of all time when it came to Centers.
Yao Ming is another of my favourite former players in the NBA; including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Shaquille O'Neal, Steve Nash, Charles Barkley, David Robinson, David Thompson, Clyde Drexler, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and Reggie Miller.
Yao is almost cry here but he hides it. It is his greatest achievement in NBA to be hall of fame and biggest Houston Rockets franchise next to Olajuwon and Drexler.
I met a guy working in a local Home Depot store who was 6'10" once!!😲 He was fricken MASSIVE!!! What the Heck is 7'6 even like???? And is he considered the NBA's first high altitude trainer??? 😮😯
You talking about bill worrel? Dude is a legend bruh. Commentator for the rockets since the late 80s , hes old bro. You’ll be lucky to make it that far you fuck
A short story behind Yao's jersey number:
Yao chose number 11, because that was the jersey number of his girlfriend Ye Li then . (He wore number 15 for Shanghai Sharks before moving to NBA). 6'3'' Ye Li played center for her national team and attended the 2004 Olympics. Moreover number 11 resembles "YY" which combined the initials of this basketball couple Yao&Ye. Yao even printed "YY-11" on the back of his BMW that he used in Houston.
Yao chased this girl for almost half a year until she agreed to start their first date in 2000. Ye Li was Yao's first love and the only love. They got married in 2007. Their daughter Amy was born 2010.
Great athlete. Sweet couple. Beautiful family.
ukyee that's a pretty rad story
Chris Santos 15 was his number in Shanghai Sharks of CBA, while 13 was his number in national team. Learn to read first, moron.
Yao need to make more babies, pass that great gene.
Shame they got a child in 2010, would be much better in 2011
actually yao wanted to have more babies but sadly the policy in China restricted every couple can only give birth to one baby or else they would have to pay half of their total income last year to the government.Because yao is the owner of the Shanghai Sharks, he would have to pay a lot in order to have another baby which is why he didnt do that
Yao was such a nice person, a great teammate, and a dominate center. He is the true embodiment of all the great things about Chinese culture. So proud of him for what he has accomplished. One cannot imagine the immense pressure and expectation Yao had faced when he first joined the NBA. Yao is an icon. Will be remembered as one of greatest player that has huge impact on the game
He was literally engineered by the Chinese to make China look good in bball. Yao hates baseketball, and wanted to be anarchaeologist but he was forced by the Chinese gov't to play ball since birth.
Yao is a cheat code in 2k17
Tristan Lee inall version he is cheat code
He still has a big influence on the Houston franchise. Look at the Rockets uniform design and logo.
greg rose of course!
Not just that. Many Houston rockets alumni were invited to play in China, like T-Mac, A Brooks, Wells, Francis, etc. Their pockets grew bigger b/c of the Chinese market and Chinese fans lol
@@HengLiuMike never thought of that.
For real
nightmare for warriors if he is playing...
nightmare for every team nowadays actually
Junyu Lu If its a nightmare for Shaq then its a nightmare for everyone
I know Howard will cry like a kid
Yea. He is 7’6. He will dominate at the rim.
Eric Chan yup
I remember thinking Yao Ming was unstoppable as a kid
Tony Abbott he got stopped by injuries
me too ;(
Thanks for the comment Prime Minister
I’d imagine Yao was unstoppable as a teen and adult also.
It is a pity that Yao and Tmac got so many injuries. Both of em r powerful players. They deserve a championship.
the worst part of it was when one was clear for playing, the other would then get injured.. when both yao and tmac were on the floor actually healthy together they were fucking dangerous... man life is a bitch aint it.. not everyone can be winners but everyone sure can leave a lasting impression with enough dedication and work. Yao and Tmac never won rings but to the city of houston, these guys are fucking legendary...
Peter J Choi Yea，good point dude. Cant agree more.
@@nbafanfirst3453 add more common there. The role players are so bad when they are still healthy. The role players are much better after they got injured. We remember those names, scola, landary, brooks…also Artest stay for one year, he is something.
Yea because yoa and tmac were like kobe very fragile and weak. They would always get injured.
Yao Ming, thank you for all you've done for this city!
That story about the $2 really touched me!
Yao Ming was not just a great basketball player, he is an even better human being!
The only C that was able to hang with Shaq and even get the best of him at times in their primes..
Hakeem destroyed Shaq....4-0 sweep in the finals... Sabonis played well against him too
hakeem dusted shaq in his prime
I don't like shaq but hakeem didn't destroy shaq and shaq couldn't stop hakeem either
hmoobmeeka 32-10 game 4 sweep 95 finals shut you mouth
@@Turk_2023yea but that wasn’t Lakers Shaq, that Shaq was a whole other level. Lol
Yao is so overwhelmed at the beginning of his speech, almost got him smashed. #Proud
Well deserved,he is a legend.He is our Chinese people's pride!!
HE IS HOUSTON'S PRIDE AS WELL!
He is legendary!
I'm glad that Yao has been recognized for what he's done on and off the court. A very heartfelt speech. Truly a shame his career had to be cut short.
~ Kido
Yao brought me into NBA world. My memory is full of those moments that I watched Rockets game with my father back when I was young. Now, I have been abroad by myself for more than 7 years, Yao has retired, and I have not got a chance to watch a game with my father again for long time. I do miss my family, I do miss those moments, Thank you Yao, and Thank you Houston rockets for all of those memories. Barry, Alston, David Wesley, Juwan Howard, Mobley, Battier, Weatherspoon, Luther Head, Bobby Jackson, Hayes, Laundry....forgive me if I spell some of the names wrong, I don't know English at all back at time. With all the respect to LBJ, KD, Curry, Klay, Harden...but my most beautiful memory paused at those names listing above. Best wishes everyone, happy Chinese New Year
fucking awesome. Proud of Shanghai and Proud of China!!!
Jacky Lee 上海寧老卵！
t-mac and yao were the great duo that never was. if those guys stay healthy they win a title. maybe multiple.
Great Yao, can't wait to play him in 2k18 legend team
Congratulations Yao. well deserved.
Hakeem 'the dream' Olajuwon. My man
I will remember Yao in two ways. One, he is one of the greatest center ever played with the Houston Rockets. Two, the "bitch please" meme.
Legend
Echo Tribute famous player, hall of fame, all-star married and have child, is a meme, he only lacks a ring
Yao is my inspiration and the reason why I am playing center. I also want to be a yao outside basketball. Truly an amazing man!
Olajuwon is so bad ass he has to stand up twice......
one of the best center of all time,my idol，he has a great influence of the chinese people.I was about 15. 16years old 10 years ago, almost all boys could play more or less Basketball at that time because of him , his greatness is not only about 20PPG 10RPG,his coming to NBA just changed the life of the boys in my Generation.......his speech just brings me back to the old days that I played basketball with my friends on the court in the whole afternoon，time really has wings.
His english getting a lot better. The heart & soul of Houston Rockets 🏀🏀🏀💪💪💪
只怪岁月太无情，场上的明星老了，场下的观众也不再年轻，但那是记忆中永远的美好回忆!谢谢姚明!
second favorite big man of all time. Respect and love to the entire family
Bruh, Yao's dad is 6'7" and mom is 6'3", imagine how tall his daughter is gona be with a 7'6" dad and 6'4" mother. even crazy is if he had a son. hes probably gona be 8 feet tall or something
29 feet tall
He is a great man not only in size but also inside.
Yao Ming Yao Ming Yao Ming Yao Ming Yao Ming Yao Ming
Yao makes everyone look small lol..
好多熟悉的面孔都老了，伴随着我的高中和大学，谢谢大姚！弗拉西斯！麦迪！巴蒂尔！穆托姆博！
弗朗西斯混得最差
毒品害人啦
Mucho texto
Love how Yao always has jokes and punchline in every speech
ok. I like this guy not only because NBA, Yao's face meme also
Lmao
@@christianjohnvelasco5333 Lmao Ming
shane battier should thank yao ming for life, not many people know that he is the first foreigner that has chinese signature sneaker deal Peak brand
I love that Harden jumped on to and hugged him in the end.
MAD RESPECT!
I almost cried when battier was talking to yao
He is my teenage memory, I am a Lakers fan, but I would watched Rocket's games just because of him. All of the Chinese are very proud of him.
The guy got me laughing the whole time running around not knowing who to pass the microphone to
Damn. Don’t know why my tears down when the Houston fans keep applauding for this big man.
We are all going to miss you , Mr Yao Ming! Wish you the best ....
Yao daughter is beautiful
The guys who comment on me do you know who i am cos you really in trouble if you say that again
She's cute
Tf
17:44 *i thought that was his son or something but when I looked closely it was James Harden* 😂😂😂
That memory of Yao working out prior to playing a game in the NBA. They showed him with a trainer working on his footwork and his midrange shots. His touch around the rim from 10-15 ft was absolutely incredible. I swear he hit around 25 straight shots while posting up a big guy. Spot up, turn around, fade away jumpers all net. He wasn’t quick. But he was very skilled and had a great jumper. 7’5” dude that had a release as high as the rim is pretty much unblockable. Some of the best days in the NBA.
Shaq Killa
Love Yao! Love HOUSTON, love my Rockets and love Bill Worrell.
Because of Yao, plenty of Chinese fell in love The Red Nation! Btw I will support this team forever! Much love from 🇨🇳🇨🇳
Choked up watching this. The 90s championships are the best memories for me but my second favorite memories as a Rockets fan were the Yao and T-Mac teams of the 2000s. The heartbreak of injuries just really leave me wondering what if.
A great athlete. A greater human being.
All respect and love to Yao.
You gotta be really good to have your jersey hanging up there..
14:57 harden be like “that’s a good one, imma use that in my jersey retirement ceremony.” 😂😂
I miss you yao😭
Yao inspired us so much. I'm glad i bought his rocket jeresys back in the day and wore them to school
hes awesome
Such a nice guy! Totally deserved!
A guy never reached his prime, so sad that Yao had been suffering from those injuries throughout his career and had to retired at such a good age
Man T-mac is classic both on and off the court man.
career ended so early for him. He deserved a ring.
Hakeem looks like he can still play in the league today.
The way he was looking at the jersey, dreams accomplished
Yao Ming accounted for big part of my member when I was a kid and teenager, I just miss the day that NBA still have Yao,T- mac, AI, Garnett, pp...... I just took basketball as granted back in these days.
Yao is truly all time great. A center this tall yet has the softest touches around the rim AND from range. Imagine a showdown between him and Embiid!
Yao was a fucking goat in 2k
Only the Spurs & Rockets do jersey retirements this well! Crazy how even the commissioner & NBA execs come thru for these franchises!
0:55 He is shaking, nervous.....like Marco Rubio
Yao Legend!
Yao and Kobe were the only 2 players who actually implemented Hakeem's game into their own. If Yao were healthy and played a full career, he would be among the greatest of all time when it came to Centers.
Great honour. Well done.
Great, Yao Ming.
James Harden said Hey Yao, come to sign with us for 1 season at least , i'll fetch you easy shoot lol
WARNING! TEARS AT 12:54
Only one Yao ! Never before ! Neve again ! #11
It has been 14 years just like yesterday!
when he count the 321. my heart is just like breaking my heart into 11pcs. great yao.
LOL, Adam Silver got the least applause and some boos.
ukyee I wonder why.
I wonder how, I wonder why, I wonder where they are
osborn hung LOL shut up
+Shicong Lu I'm just joking. Don't be mad
osborn hung And I was joking back :D
can't believe 9years journey for Yaoming was amazing！he is one of the greatest player in the world
I'm glad they put Hakeem's jersey retire seen on camera
Yao Ming needs a son asap
oh
he has a girl
a Lachmaz i know but he need a son like kobe
mitochondria he is probably gonna be 7'5 ( yao ming son)
CaptainObitox10 Zhou Qi 😂😂😂
Great player.
did anybody else hear someone boo the commissioner
What a fucking legend ! Love yao man. Thanks for the memories !
Let me use Chinese! 姚明永远是中国的骄傲！
how ironic when a Chinese uses Japanese in his/ her name.
just a Japanese who could speak chinese
+maxloo2 you are racist ，bitch
lol? do you even know what "racist" is?
maxloo2 shut up and respect Chinese
my hero
Yao Ming is another of my favourite former players in the NBA; including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Shaquille O'Neal, Steve Nash, Charles Barkley, David Robinson, David Thompson, Clyde Drexler, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and Reggie Miller.
Great Yao
an amazing amazing player! love this dude
Yao is almost cry here but he hides it. It is his greatest achievement in NBA to be hall of fame and biggest Houston Rockets franchise next to Olajuwon and Drexler.
Great speech!
I watched his highlights right after this
Yao holds the mic like a lollipop
Yao’s English is solid!!! Yao is a funny dude! I like him!
bigger than life
I met a guy working in a local Home Depot store who was 6'10" once!!😲 He was fricken MASSIVE!!! What the Heck is 7'6 even like???? And is he considered the NBA's first high altitude trainer??? 😮😯
That 10 day contract joke was underrated lol
He changed the game for Houston hes well deserved cause if his motivation I opened a multimillion landscaping lawncare company
Did anyone else realize how shaky the guy in the middle hand and microphone was
the night shift yes i was laughing
the night shift aint easy talking to that many people lol
You talking about bill worrel? Dude is a legend bruh. Commentator for the rockets since the late 80s , hes old bro. You’ll be lucky to make it that far you fuck
Pacific_ Rifle ..what's so funny
LEGEND
Guys... you already know this song... YAO MING YAO MING YAO MING
"you know we have a salary cap, right" LMAO
Wish Yao could "Make Rockets Great Again"