Reports: Rockets' Yao Ming will retire

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ESPN.com news services

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming has decided to retire after nine NBA seasons, Yahoo! Sports and the Houston Chronicle have reported, citing league sources.

Yao's contract had expired after this past season with the Rockets, who have missed the playoffs the last two seasons.

They played nearly all of that time without Yao as he battled various injuries. He was limited to five games last season after missing all of 2009-10.

"We'd all be really happy if Yao comes back to play, and I hope he can," new Rockets coach Kevin McHale said when he was introduced last month. "I think he'll give it his best shot. His body is going to dictate if he can come back and play. That's all going to be laid out in the future.

"But who wouldn't like Yao Ming, a big guy who can really make shots, just a huge force in the middle? That's out of my control. We'll see where that goes."

In May, Yao said his surgically repaired left ankle was healing properly and he wanted to remain with the Rockets.

But Yao, who had surgery in January, said he wouldn't know until this summer if he'd be able to play again. He became a restricted free agent July 1.

Yao would finish with a 19 points-per-game average with 9.2 rebounds in his seven-plus seasons.

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This is my signature...

Will he still play in the next 10 all star games?

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I already can see a huge Yi controversy next February when the ballots are counted

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

I actually feel that we were kind of robbed of watching a great all time center. I mean he probably wasn't as good as he should be because injuries wouldn't allow him to be. But the excitement when he came into the league...its just I just feel kinda bummed out that we didn't get to see Yao at his greatest. I mean I know this is playing the "What-IF game" but what If Tracy Mcgrady & Yao Ming could of been healthy together. They could've POSSIBLY been a championship team.

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"Having Adam Dunn as your Designated Hitter is like Having Billy Joel as your Designated Driver"
The Great Stephen Colbert

How Big is Your Buona?

David Haugh WHO ARE YO CRAPPIN??

All guys as big as Yao end up breaking down fast. What happened to him was not very surprising.

I could see him possibly suiting up for China in the next olympics though. His body obviously can't handle the grind of an 82 game NBA season, but he could probably handle a short international tournament.

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I agree with Simmons, kinda surprised Yao didn't wanna try a Walton with the 86 Celtics role.

While it was fun to make fun of, I don't think I'll forget his rookie year. Not dunking on someone for fear of disrespecting them pretty much is the biggest physical symbol of the different approaches our cultures take to the court.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

part of the thing about being good is being able to stay healthy. he couldnt so he sucked period.

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the world will always the world. your entire existence is defined by your response.

I always loved him for that. But I'm a girl, so....

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I follow where my mind goes...