The Houston Rockets retired former NBA basketball player Yao Ming's No. 11 jersey on Friday night after a tough overtime 121-117 home victory against the Chicago Bulls.
During the halftime ceremony, the Chinese star delivered a lecture with his heart and humor punctuated by tens of thousands of fans’ cheers in the Toyota Center.
He sent gratitude to his teammates, coaches and everyone who helped make him feel at home in Houston.
Yao Ming and his wife Ye Li watch as the Houston Rockets jersey No. 11 is retired during halftime of the match between the Houston Rockets and the Chicago Bulls at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on February 3, 2017. /CFP Photo
"Thinking back on the years I spent here, I just think of the entire team, organization and the city as a big family," Yao said. "I feel so welcome here, and tonight is very special to me."
Yao said the moment he enjoyed the most was when he first walked into the Compaq Center, the former home of the Rockets. He was taken aback when he saw a jersey with his name and number for the first time and realized it was the start of a special journey.
"The cameras randomly gave a shot of the retired jerseys," Yao said. "I slowly realized over time that's the highest honor a player can achieve for themselves and for the team. I will always ask myself, `What is the story behind it?' I hope people see the jersey there and remember the story. Not just myself, but my teammates, my opponents, we put a story together."
Houston Rockets Yao Ming (11) and Tracy McGrady (1) during a match against New Jersey Nets, East Rutherford, New Jersey on November, 15 2014. /CFP Photo
He made jokes about his teammates such as Tracy McGrady. He said that if there’s only 35 seconds on the court, just pass the ball to T-Mac.
Yao told a story about teammates giving him a traditional red package with two US dollars inside on his first Chinese New Year in the US. Despite the small amount of cash, Yao said it’s a moment he’ll remember forever.
“I still have one of those two dollar bills inside my pocket, and I carried it since then,” Yao said, as the crowd hailed. “Because I know no matter where I go, as long as that bill’s in my pocket, home is with me.”
Aerial view of Houston Rockets Yao Ming (11) sustaining an injury during Game 1 vs Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles, California on May 4, 2009. /CFP Photo
As No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, the star from Shanghai, China spent nine seasons in Houston before retirement in 2011 due to mounting injuries with average statistics of 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. The eight-time All-Star was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in September 2016.
On Thursday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner declared February 2 each year as "Yao Ming Day" and welcomed Yao as the city's goodwill ambassador.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and other league officials attended the ceremony, which was broadcast on NBA TV and in China on Tencent and CCTV.
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