nearly crippled Mickey Mantle (and has led to amputation in extreme cases). Ming underwent surgery to address the problem, yet his popularity among NBA fans barely waned. When the votes were tabulated for the 2006 All-Star Game, Houston’s center was once again finished ahead of everyone else.

Ming ended up missing a total of 25 games during the 2005–06 campaign. Still, he averaged a double-double for the first time: 22.3 points and 10.3 rebounds a night. Adding to Houston’s woes was the fact that McGrady was on the sidelines half the year with back problems. Thanks to workmanlike contributions from Juwan Howard, Rafer Alston and Luther Head, the Rockets were with sniffing range of a .500 season. But with four games to go Ming broke his already troublesome left foot and spent the next six months off the hardwood.

Every expert had an opinion on how Ming would bounce back from his injuries. He defied even the most ambitious expectations by starting the 2006–07 season like every night was Game 7. Ming exhibited a keener understanding of what NBA teams were doing against him and became a smarter shooter, passer and ballhandler. His defense and rebounding also improved. Then, while blocking a shot, he fell to the floor and fractured his right knee. Ming missed 34 games.

The Rockets, under the deft leadership of Van Gundy, maintained a high level of play without their star center. Dikembe Mutombo filled in (as he had the year before) and McGrady, Howard and newcomer Shane Battier gave the team a good forward line. Ming returned in March and helped the Rockets reach the 50-win plateau.

The Rockets and their fans were aiming high as the playoffs began. They faced the Utah Jazz, a tricky team led by Andrei Kirilenko, Deron Williams, and Carlos Boozer. The Rockets took the first two games but the Jazz battled back to force a Game 7 in Houston. Ming scored 35 points and lifted the team on his shoulders by netting 15 in a wild forth quarter. Boozer was even better, scoring 41 and hitting a pair of clutch free throws in the closing moments. The Jazz eked out a win, and Ming was distraught in the locker room. He told reporters he hadn’t done his job. A couple of weeks later the Van Gundy era came to an end in Houston.

Under new coach Rick Adelman, the Rockets hit their stride around mid-year in the 2007-08 season. They won eight straight heading into All-Star Weekend—Ming was voted the West’s starting center—and four more after that to run their string to 12 victories. All was not well with Ming, however. He had been experiencing pain in his left foot again. X-rays revealed a stress fracture. He was done for the season. Ming was averaging a double-double at the time.

To Ming’s delight, Houston kept winning without him. They went 22 games without a loss—the second longest in league history. The Rockets finished the year with an astonishing 55 wins, but without Ming, they looked helpless in the playoffs against the Jazz, who beat them in six games.

Ming’s left foot was strengthened with the surgical implanting of several screws. He rested and rehabbed four four months, returning to the court in time for the Olympics in Beijing. As China’s most recognizable sports hero, he was a featured participant in the awe-inspiring opening ceremonies, carrying the nation’s flag at the head of its athletic contingent. Ming also carried the Olympic torch into Tiananman Square.

Ming got China’s hoops team off to a great start in their opening game against Team USA by nailing a 3-pointer. It was all downhill from there. The Americans won in a rout, 101-70. The Chinese next lost to Spain in overtime. After a win over Angola, China treated its fans to a huge