姚明親口證實徹底退役 今后不會代表男籃出戰(zhàn)(視頻)

來源：查字典奧運會網(wǎng)  發(fā)布時間： 2016-07-05

Today marked the end of an era for one of Chinas sports icons, and for one of the most recognized athletes in the world. Yao Ming of the NBAs Houston Rockets, officially retired after injury cut short a remarkable career.

Its the sort of media gathering youd expect for a president, or a head of state. In some ways, todays guest probably is hes Chinas King of the court, Yao Ming.

To 1.3 billion Chinese he represents the dream of taking on America at its own game, and winning.

To many in the rest of the world he is Chinas most recognisable face, breaking down old stereotypes of a country often misunderstood outside its own boundaries.

Chinese NBA idol Yao Ming officially announced his retirement
at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

Yao Mings decade long run in the NBA officially came to a close on Wednesday with an emotional retirement announcement in Shanghai, the home town where his parents first taught him to bounce a ball

The Ming Dynasty, as its called, is all about a gentle giant, standing seven feet six inches high, with an arm span wide enough to embrace the globe that in equal measure has embraced him.

Hes been described as Chinas most successful basketball experiment the child of Chinas two tallest basketballers of a bygone era, who managed to go beyond the strict sports system of his nation to become the NBAs first ever international number one draft pick.

Yao Ming of China celebrates after scoring against Puerto Rico during the first round of the World Basketball Championships in Sapporo August 22, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)

Houston became his new home, one that played a defining role in who Yao is today.

The most points Yao ever scored in one NBA game
was 41 points.

Early in his career, he refused to dunk, seeing it as an overtly selfish act for a man who always put the team first and ten years later, in retirement, hes still paying tribute to others.

Yaos first major injury occurred during the 2008-2009 playoffs, just as he was seemed to be reaching his peak.

A career cut short by a left foot that refused to heal just one more time, Yao Ming is left with a wife and daughter in America, a restaurant in Houston and a basketball team in Shanghai, but its the memories that hell visit most often in what is a long, long retirement road that now stretches out before him.

Yao at the press conference

Chinas second Ming Dynasty may have just ended, but the legacy will live long.