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#1 Yao Ming
When Yao Ming entered the NBA, he was a phenomenon. Ming was a 7-foot-6 center from Shanghai, China. He played for the Chinese Basketball Association for five years before reaching the NBA.
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In the CBA, he accomplished great things such as becoming MVP (both regular season and Finals) in 2001, a CBA champion in 2002, and a multiple-time rebounding and blocks leader. Ming accomplished numerous things in the CBA and eventually went on to the NBA. The NBA is where he became a massive star.
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In 2002, Ming was the first pick of the NBA Draft. The Houston Rockets selected Ming, and he instantly became a cultural icon. The people of Houston loved Ming, and the people of China adored him. Ming was a skilled big man, and he put the league on notice.
In his first two seasons, Ming played 164. This means that he played all 82 games in both seasons. He averaged exceptional numbers and earned an NBA All-Rookie First Team nod in his rookie season. Ming stayed healthy in his first two seasons (and missed only two games in his third year) then injuries became a factor.
In his fourth year, Ming played 57 games. He developed osteomyelitis in the big toe of his left foot and had to get surgery to repair the injury. He underwent the procedure in December 2005 and returned after the All-Star break. However, he suffered another injury at the end of the season. The injury required six months of recovery and one of many injuries Ming dealt with. He continued to have injury-plagued seasons after that.
After his fourth year, Ming played three more (full) seasons. In the 2010-11 season, he suffered a stress fracture in his left ankle and was set to miss the rest of the season. This led to Ming making a big decision. Ming played only five games that season as his contract with the Rockets expired. At the age of 30, Ming announced his retirement.
In his early NBA career, Yao Ming was spectacular. If he remained healthy, he would have been one of the NBA's best big men/international players.
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