victory, beating Germany 59-55. Ming was dominant with 25 points and 11 rebounds. That proved to be the highlight for the host country. The Chinese bowed out in the quarter-finals to Lithuania.

Ming’s basketball journey has reached an interesting crossroads. He has erased any doubt that he can be a franchise player in the NBA, and few would argue that he has the skills and makeup to take the right team to the finals. Up for discussion is Ming’s durability. And by extension the level of care he is receiving from the Rockets. The careers of Bill Walton and Grant Hill were wasted in part because they were sent onto the court before their foot injuries were fully healed. As Ming enters the key years of what could still turn out to be a Hall of fame career, the injury question—both for him and the Rockets—is all that remains .

MING THE PLAYER

Though Ming stands 7-5, he possesses the moves and agility of someone much smaller. He can dribble, pass and shoot from the outside, and has all the fundamentals needed to become a superior shot-blocker and rebounder. Thanks to his parents, he has a feel for the poetry of basketball, and there are times when it’s fun just to watch how he moves around the floor and reacts to the game around him.

Ming is also an excellent free throw shooter—a key attribute for a successful NBA big man. He has actually led the Rockets in this category in years past.

Early in his career, Ming admitted that he needed to become more forceful on the floor. He had to abandon his Chinese roots and develop a mean streak. Although no one would ever accuse him of being an enforcer, he has demonstrated enough toughness to earn the respect of his fellow NBA centers.

As far as his teammates are concerned, Ming has all the right moves. He is unquestionably a team-first guy, not to mention a highly intelligent and likable person. He doesn’t point fingers or shoot dirty looks at teammates when the Rockets lose, and he doesn’t gripe to the refs when he gets hammered and doesn’t get the call. When the team falls short of its goals, he is willing to take responsibility.

Source: jockbio.com