As dominant and intimidating as he was, Yao Ming was a very fun guy who constantly made jokes to make people laugh. The Chinese superstar made history with the Houston Rockets, becoming one of the biggest attractions in the league, starring in memorable duels with other great centers like Shaquille O’Neal.
He was a big joker, constantly making up stories and adding his touch to make his audience laugh. One of the biggest examples is when he told his neighbor that he combined for 15 points with Tracy McGrady to turn a game around at the last minute.
Moreover, Ming liked to joke with his teammates, and one time, he jokingly exposed them while inviting them to a charity event he and his wife were hosting. Shane Battier recently joined Showtime’s Forgotten Seasons to discuss a variety of topics, also recalling a funny story about Ming.
“Yeah, Yao told a great story. He had a charity event. At one night, he came to the guys in the locker room and said, ‘hey guys, I want to invite you to my charity event this week, it’s so and so in Houston. Please bring your wives or please bring your girlfriends. Please, don’t bring both and I’m like, ‘that’s really good, Yao.’ He pretended he didn’t speak English very well so people would leave him alone, but he was actually hilarious. Yao was one of my most favorite teammates of all time.”
Even though his career wasn’t as great as it could have been, Yao Ming left a huge mark on the NBA. He was a pretty huge deal on and off the court. He loved to play basketball and sadly, injuries were ruthless with him. However, his stint in the association was still solid, and he left many memories to those who play with or against him. Battier, for example, loved his time with the Chinese giant.
