5 alternative NBA timelines for Yao Ming
By John Buhler
1. What if he stayed healthy?
This is the biggest question surrounding Yao’s NBA career: What if he stayed healthy? That’s difficult to say, given he played in the Western Conference with other great big men like Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, and Dirk Nowitzki. However, Houston manages to win at least one NBA Finals during Yao’s time in Houston.
He had a great head coach in Jeff Van Gundy. Yao’s superior health in this alternative universe means Van Gundy never stops coaching and never becomes an NBA television analyst. Van Gundy is now revered as the second-best head coach in the NBA to San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich.
Players like Tracy McGrady, Steve Francis, and Cuttino Mobley have better careers in Houston thanks to Yao being healthy. Houston’s rivalry with San Antonio intensifies, as the Rockets play the Spurs in at least two Western Conference Finals.
Suppose the Rockets get to the NBA Finals and have to play the 2005-06 Miami Heat or the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers. Yao was one of the only big men that befuddled Shaq when he was in his prime. LeBron James’ Cavaliers would have had no shot against a Rockets team with a healthy Yao.
Next: NBA: 2000s All-Decade First Team
In short, Yao surpasses Sampson and Malone in Rockets center lore with one title and two NBA Finals appearances. The argument between he and Olajuwon as the best player in franchise history is now on the table. Big men and their foot injuries…