an eye on the postseason. Though the Rockets ultimately failed in their quest—the Suns edged them by a single game—at 43-39, the season was a major success.

Ming had a lot to do with Houston’s improved play. An easy selection for the All-Rookie team, he ended the campaign averaging 13.5 points and 8.2 rebounds. In February he posted five double-doubles, then recorded six more in March and April, including a season-high 19 rebounds versus Sacramento. In all he placed in the top 20 in 11 statistical categories.

Ming’s impact was also felt off the court. He was voted to start over Shaq in the All-Star game. Attendance was up all year at Houston home games, and a significant portion of those tickets were sold to Asian fans.The Rockets-Lakers game in January of 2003 was the second highest rated hoops broadcast in U.S. cable history. Literally hundreds of millions of viewers tuned into Rockets games back in China.

Ming also proved to be a natural as a pitchman, starring in commercials for Apple and VISA. As his English improved, his endorsements became more lucrative. The league, meanwhile, was salivating over the thought of Ming as its global marketing poster boy.

After his excellent rookie campaign, Ming helped lead the Chinese National Basketball team to an Olympic playoff berth. During a practice, however, he broke a bone above his left eye, and was forced to sit out some exhibition games.

Back in Houston, former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy was hired as the Rockets’ new head man for the 2003-04 season. Among his first moves was the implementation of a new offense designed to spread the ball around more. Initially, this didn’t sit well with Francis, who still liked to run the show his way. The team also suffered two other personnel problems, the release of Griffin and a substance abuse suspension of Maurice Taylor.

Ming adjusted well to Van Gundy’s style. He topped the Rockets in scoring at 17.5 points per game, and also raised his rebounding to nine a night. Ming was particularly effective against opponenets without a true center. In January, he dominated the Magic with 37 points and 10 rebounds. A month later he went for a career-high 41 points in a 123-121 win over Atlanta. He enjoyed his best stretch in March, averaging a double-double in 14 games.

The Rockets won eight of those contests to put themselves in position for a playoff spot. Francis and Van Gundy were getting along better, Mobley’s shot selection improved, and Jim Jackson was playing with renwed confidence. Despite ranking 25th in the league in offense, Houston dug in on defense and finished at 45-37, good for the seventh seed in the West.

Getting out of the first round was going to be a challenge, as the Rockets squared off against the Lakers. Many billed the series as a battle between Ming and Shaq, and gave Houston a real shot at an upset.

The pundits were wrong. Shaq outplayed Ming, and the Lakers ran away with the series in five games. Houston’s only victory came when Francis exploded for 27 points, while Ming chipped in with 18 points and 10 boards.

In June, after weeks of rumors, the Rockets pulled the trigger on a major deal that changed the face of the team. With Van Gundy still looking for a way to get Francis on the same page with his teammates, particularly Ming, Houston solved the problem by sending the point guard along with Mobley and Kelvin Cato to Orlando for Tracy McGrady. The trade could have a huge impact in the West. With the Lakers in flux, Ming and McGrady could be the next installent of Shaq and Kobe—without all the tension.