If you haven't heard by now, then you're probably not a fan but China's most beloved international sports star, Yao Ming, has been sidelined for the rest of the NBA regular and post season due to a stress fracture. Although this is a heartbreak for the fans of both Yao and the stampeding Houston Rockets, bigger concerns are coming from China as Yao's status for the 2008 Olympic Games is in question.No other Chinese sports player is more widely known or more loved by Chinese people than 7'6" Yao Ming. If it wasn't for Yao, basketball would be to the Chinese as soccer is to the Americans. Despite being the 3rd Chinese basketball player in the NBA, the first being Wang Zhi Zhi and the second being Mengke Bateer (who knew?), Yao Ming is by far the most visible and popular, not to mention he was first pick in the 2002 NBA draft. He not only exudes a sense of innocence, humility and honesty but he can actually play some ball as well (6 time NBA All-Star). Since we're talking about Chinese basketball players in the NBA, it is only fair to also mention newcomer Yi Jianlian. He was the overall 6th pick in the 2007 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks and is one of the most athletic 7 footers out there today; so don't sleep on this guy.
A national hero in China and a basketball icon in America, Yao Ming is one of the most famous Chinese things out there. If he does not play in the Olympic Games, Chinese all around the world will feel the pain Houston feels now.
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