Over the past decade or so in the NBA, there has been a serious shortage of dominant centers in the league with only Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard being the best at their position. Despite these two big men dominating in the paint, there was one other center that started to turn heads in the form of Chinese import Yao Ming.

With the unique ability to shoot the basketball efficiently and have some dominant post moves, Yao Ming was quickly making a case as the best center in the league. There is no question that Yao was getting better with every passing year during his time with the Houston Rockets, but he struggled with injuries to his feet and ankles which ultimately has become too much for the 7’6” center.

Yao Ming isn’t the first oversized player to have troubled staying healthy due to his enormous size, but he was without doubt the most talented player at his height. Even though the best Chinese player in NBA history was attempting to get into shape and be healthy for the upcoming NBA regular season, Yao Ming found the process to be just too much and too risky for further injury.

With that being said, the eight-year veteran has decided to retire instead of returning to the Houston Rockets for one more go around. This was inevitable in many people’s opinion as he just couldn’t stay healthy anymore and further injuries could jeopardize his health for the rest of his life.

Obviously, with Yao Ming being just 30-years-old right now, there is a window of opportunity for a return to the NBA in the near future, but as of right now he will hang up his spurs and try to get his larger than life body back into shape.

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