Yao Ming - Reebok

Yao Ming is the starting center for the Houston Rockets.  He was born in Shanghai on Septmeber 12, 1980.  He is the tallest player in the NBA at 7 ft.  6 in.  He was the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft.  He is been selected the the NBA All-Star Game in each of his seven seasons, and has been named to the All-NBA Team five times.   He has been injured in each othe past five seasons, and the Rockets have only advanced past the first round of the playoffs only once.

In his rookie season, he averaged 13.5 ppg. and 8.2 rpg.  He was second in the NBA Rookie of the Year Award voting, and a pick for the NBA All-Rookie First Team selection.  In his sophomore season, Jeff Van Gundy was brought in and Yao became the focal point of the offense.  He had career highs in points per game and rebounds per game for the season.  He averaged 17.5 ppg. and 9.0 rpg.  The Rockets made the playoffs for the first time in his career, and were eliminated in five games in the first round versus the Lakers where he averaged 15.0 ppg. and 7.4 rpg.  In 2004, Yao was paired with Tracy McGrady with high expectations.  The Rockets won 51 games that year, but were eliminated versus the Mavericks in a seven game series.  Yao averaged 21.4 ppg. on 65% shooting and 7.7 rebounds in the series.

He developed osteomyelitis in the big toe on his left foot, and had surgery in December, 2005.  He missed 21 games, but had the most fan votes to start the 2006 NBA All-Star Game.  In his fifth season, Yao averaged 22.3 ppg. and 10.2 rpg.  It was the first time he`d ever averaged "20/10".  The Rockets did not make the playoffs, winning only 34 games.  On April 10, 2006, he broke a bone in his left foot.  In his fifth season, Yao broke his right knee on December 23, 2006 attempting to block a shot.  At that point he had been averaging 26.8 ppg., 9.7 rpg., and 2.3 bpg.  The Rockets made the playoffs, but lost to the Jazz in the first round.  Yao averaged 15.1 ppg. and 10.3 rpg. for the series.  He was selected to the All-NBA Second Team for the first time after being selected to the Third Team twice.  The next season, Yao played 77 games averaging 19.7 ppg. and 9.9 rpg.  He shot 54.8% from the field, and 86.6% from the free throw line.  The Rockets finished with 53 wins, and defeated the Blazers in the first round getting to the second round for the first time in his career.  The Rockets faced the Lakers in the second round, eventually losing the series in seven games.  Yao was diagnosed with a sprained ankle after game 3, but follow-up tests revealed a hairline fracture in his left foot.  The injury was career threatening.  Yao did not play the following season.  This year, the Rockets have limited his minutes to 24 minutes per game, and not allowing him to play on back-to-back nights.

YAO MING REEBOK HEXRIDE

Reebok has integrated their new cushioning technology, Hexride, into their basketball shoes. Here are some pictures of the Reebok Hexride – Yao Ming, created specially for Houston Rockets Yao Ming.

The most noticeable features is the red and gold dragon that goes across the shoe, which is part of Chinese culture and history. The Reebok Hexride – Yao Ming will be released in the upcoming months, leading up to the 2008 Summer Olympics, and is limited to 2008 pairs.

Each shoe is numbered on the inside with a stitching which reads “__ of 2008″.


REEBOK KFS DRAGON ATR ELITE ALL STAR YAO MING 2008

The Reebok KFS Dragon ATR Elite contains a mural of a Dragon, White/Black uppers, and Red and Gold liner.

YAO MING REEBOK ALL STAR

 

Houston colors, Vegas inspired.  Pump technology.  Yao Ming was one of the top vote-getter’s for the 2007 All Star game in Las Vegas, but sadly due to a leg injury, Ming will be watching from the sidelines. If Yao Ming was healthy, he would have worn this All Star inspired Reebok.

YAO MING REEBOK PUMP SHOWSTOPPER

Toned up in a Houston Rockets-inspired patent red/white color scheme, this unique pair of Reebok Pump Showstoppers was manufactured for the exclusive in-game use of 7’6 Yao Ming.

The shoe is distinguished by the brand’s Vector insignia along the middle panel and PUMP technology out back that allows for a customizable fit when playing.

 

Yao’s first name and number, “Yao 11” is inscribed on the heel overlay. 

YAO MING REEBOK OMNI HEXRIDE 

 

The Omni Hexride first debuted in this year’s Beijing Olympics on Yao Ming’s feet.  The Hexride provides lightweight cushioning and support from the Pump P105 inflation and lightweight Hex Ride technology. It also features the lightweight Hexride system on the outsole.

YAO MING REEBOK ATR MAKE IT RAIN

Reebok has just dropped a special edition of their hoops shoe, the ATR Make It Rain, in China in an exclusive Yao Ming colorway.

The ATR Make It Rain, designed by Kohei Kanata, takes on the more speedy style of play found on the outdoor courts throughout China, as ballers require great ventilation, reliable and durable traction, and enjoy a lower collar height for a greater ranger of motion.

The shoe features a mesh innersleeve for improved fit, a perforated toe box and even more heavily perfed mid panel for great breathability, and also Hexride cushioning and a dual density forefoot for low to the ground cushioning. In addition to the shoes, a few tees will be made available as well, tying into a “Descendants Of Dragons” theme and also featuring Yao’s crest logo.

Only release throughout China.