In 2005, Yao Ming Puts on a Clinic in Game 2 Against Dallas

September 9th, 2016 will always be remembered in the basketball world (and China) as the day that Yao Ming was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. We look back at his dominant performance in the playoffs against Dallas.

Over the years, we all have witnessed NBA legends become immortalized as Hall of Famers as their accomplishments on and off the court are honored. But this year, the atmosphere is a little different as three of the most iconic players in the history of the game are inducted in; Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson, and Yao Ming.

As we continue on our mini-series in looking back at each player’s best memories against the Dallas Mavericks, I take on the task of looking back at the great Yao Ming.

Yao Ming could be the greatest “what if” player to ever play in the NBA.

He had the moves. He had the stroke. He had the defense. He had the HEIGHT. He had it all…except for the health.

As dominant as Yao Ming was, he only played eight seasons in the league and only played more than 58 games in a season just four times.

But in 2005, one of the seasons where he played 80 games, Ming and the Houston Rockets went head-to-head with the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs.

It was the first round and the Dallas Mavericks had home court advantage. The Mavs were led by Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley, Jason Terry, Josh Howard and others while the Rockets were led by the two-headed monster of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.

After coming out and taking Game 1 in Dallas behind McGrady’s 34 points, Houston knew they would have to play their best to take another game in Dallas to head back home up 2-0.

Then Yao Ming happened.

Ming put up one of his best playoff performances by putting up 33 points on 13 of 14 shooting. He went 7-for-7 from the free throw line, pulled down eight rebounds and blocked two shots. He simply put on a clinic in Dallas that night as Houston took Game 2.

I strongly believe that if Ming could have stayed healthy and had the career length as some of the other great big men, he would be in the discussion as one of the greatest big men of all-time.

Next: Allen Iverson Lights Up Dallas

From what he has done off the court to his play on the court, Yao Ming is an iconic figure in the history of basketball. Friday night will be celebrated not just in Springfield, Massachusetts, but all around the world.