Yao Ming A Hall Of Famer? Jeff Van Gundy Says Yes (POLL)

With eight all-star appearances, a reputation for dominance and grace on the floor and an indisputable role in spreading the game of basketball through Asia, recently retired center Yao Ming is stirring up his share of Hall of Fame buzz -- but does he deserve the honor?

Despite critics citing a career filled with injuries and, therefore, inconsistencies, Jeff Van Gundy, who coached Yao during his days with the Houston Rockets, seems to think the big man going to Springfield is a no-brainer.

Here's what Van Gundy told the Houston Chronicle:

"No. 1 to me, he's a Hall of Famer," Van Gundy said. "Idon't care if you put him in as player, as a contributor or put him in with his own heading. This guy definitely gets in for the greatness as a player when healthy or what he did as ambassador."

He then added a thought he would repeat often.

"People forget," Van Gundy said, "just how good he was."

Yao's stats may be too flakey for a bid in as a player, but as Pro Basketball Talk points out, given Yao's influence as an ambassador of the game, he could find his way into the Hall as under the "contributor" label.

Vote in our poll below or leave a comment to let us know what you think of Yao's bid for the Hall of Fame.

Quick Poll

Is Yao Ming Hall of Fame worthy?

Absolutely!

Yes, but as a "contributor."

No chance.

I'm not sure.

Share your vote on Facebook so your friends can take this poll

Comments

[haydenbman243]

09:18 PM on 07/22/2011

I dont think he should go because he has only played 1 full season in the NBA, and that was his rookie season, he has not played enough to proove he deserves to be in with Mj and all the legends but Yao was smart for retiring, he was gonna have to soon because of his injury he still did good in the seasons he played in...

[Iain Banks]

12:09 AM on 07/13/2011

I often wonder how Van Gundy has stuck around this long, for someone who's "basketball analysis" can be summed up as the irrational screeching of a 14 year old, he must have friends in good places.

As per Yao bringing basketball to China, basketball was already popular there and Kobe has a higher selling jersey than Yao in China. He's had a remarkable career, but far too inconsistent and time off means no HOF.

[factsaboutchina]

10:48 PM on 07/12/2011

Given the nature of the Basketball Hall of Fame he should be inducted as a contributor to the advancement of the sport.

Not talented enough or durable enough to enter on merits of basketball skill and achievement.

[Valois]

05:37 PM on 07/12/2011

Why shouldn't Yao be in the hall of fame? He averaged better stats than Bill Walton, and was a dominant center in his prime. DOMINANT. Not to mention he brought millions of Chinese fans into the NBA. Yao is an ambassador.

[truthinperson]

07:51 PM on 07/12/2011

Poor comparison. Walton is in b/c of his college career. He never would've made the Hall based on his NBA career alone. Everybody who's ever had an informed "Walton HoF" discussion knows that.

[timphelan]

04:12 PM on 07/12/2011

Van Gundy is wrong again. Yao should not be in the Hall.

[frank day]

04:06 PM on 07/12/2011

Maybe, but only because he is the first All Star player from China.

[CatfishJohn]

11:17 AM on 07/12/2011

Jeff Van Gundy has all the sophistication and wisdom of a sugared-up 14 year old when he announces. Van Gundy actually considers Dirk Nowitzki to be a top 20 all time player...HUH???...so here is a list of NBA centers better than Yao Ming..much better...MIkan, Russell, Chamberlain, Thurmond, Reed , Bellamy, Jabbar, Walton, Malone, D. Robinson, Ewing, Olajuwan, ONeal, Parrish, Howard, Gilmore, Laimbeer, Mourning, Unseld, Cowens, McAdoo, Lanier...so, the answer is an emphatic NO!.

[frank day]

04:07 PM on 07/12/2011

great list

[AlisonChains]

04:50 PM on 07/12/2011

Impressive list. And extra points for including the great (but often forgotten) George Mikan.

[boehnerstan]

10:54 AM on 07/12/2011

no fricken way.

[DrMink]

10:48 AM on 07/12/2011

The HOF has largely become meaningless, given people who were put there for no other reason than the tragedy associated with their life. Drazen Petrovich and Dennis Johnson come to mind as examples.

[jwb2013]

10:00 AM on 07/12/2011

his stats dont warrant it. and look...only 17 comments here in 3 days.

[MinneapolisBob]

02:06 AM on 07/12/2011

If Yao Ming is a HOF, so is Luc Longly--he's got rings (thanks to MJ) LOL!

[Shookones]

09:16 AM on 07/12/2011

LoL! Luc and Bill Wennington!

[cameron d]

09:25 PM on 07/11/2011

Not a chance. 9 seasons: no championships under 20 PPG for the career. At 7'6 you should also probably average more than 9.2 rebounds per game and 1.2 blocks per game.

He was a good player. Never dominant. Not a Hall of Fame player.

[RusStyles]

05:33 PM on 07/11/2011

No.

[Bmonster McCarthy]

05:31 PM on 07/11/2011

Ya know, he did have a season in China where he avgd. 39 points and 20 boards, and went 21-21 in a finals game when he won the championship. In 5 CBA seasons, he put up 23 points and 15+ boards a game, shooting 65%. That's damned impressive. 19 and 9 in his NBA career. Maybe, all aspects considered, he could be worthy. Remember, the Basketball HOF takes in not just NBA play. Hell, Bill "Dr. Scholls" Walton made it, and he missed a helluva lot more NBA games than Yow did. But so much of that was his NCAA days with Sam Gilbert, er uh, UCLA. Yeah, that's it.

[truthinperson]

07:55 PM on 07/12/2011

Good points. However, I'm not sure the HoF wants to open the flood gates to every player in the world who has dominated leagues in countries such as Yemen, Australia or Nigeria.

[ModerateVoiceofReason]

03:46 PM on 07/11/2011

Among the halls of fame for the 3 major sports here in the USA, baseball, football, and basketball, the Basketball Hall of Fame is not exclusive to professionals.

The Basketball Hall of Fame routinely recognizes amateur and foreign players and has a large number of female inductees.

Yao Ming should probably be inducted for his entire career for both his NBA and Chinese National Team career.