When Yao first came to America, he was aroused by how different his old home was compared to this new place. Being the first overall pick while not playing in either the NCAA or American High School really questioned Houston's selection. In his...
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When Yao first came to America, he was aroused by how different his old home was compared to this new place. Being the first overall pick while not playing in either the NCAA or American High School really questioned Houston's selection. In his first game, he performed terribly, and screams of bust were already rolling through Yao's brain. Stephon Marbury even had the honour of crossing over the giant, making him fall while the entire bench laughs. Things weren't looking so good for Yao Ming, until he finally started adapting into the harsh atmosphere of the NBA. He finally had the chance to battle against the current monster of the NBA, Shaquille O'neal, and outperformed him in a grueling battle. Yao Ming's Rockets prevailed, and Ming's NBA Career started to flourish.

There's no other story that is as inspirational as Yao Ming's story. For those of you who watched Year of the Yao, while it does sound like a corny attempt to cash in on Yao's popularity, it is by far the best athletic documentary out there. I watched him in his rookie year, cheering him on solely because he was asian, but little did I realize of the trials he had to face with being a giant, being Chinese, and being the first overall pick. The softness within him started being scraped away when the roughness of the NBA players started scratching it, and his monster within him bursted out. Yao really is a wonderful player, currently the best center in the NBA with Shaq's decline. He has all the credentials to be a great center, and he has fought through everything that was thrown into his face. There's really no way you can hate on Yao Ming, because he does absolutely nothing to warrant hate, especially with what he had to endure.

Allen Iverson, along with Kobe Bryant, is those types of players who you either love or hate. I personally love the guy. At first glance, when listening to his stories in the media, he's a thug that doesn't care about anything. But after seeing...
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Allen Iverson, along with Kobe Bryant, is those types of players who you either love or hate. I personally love the guy. At first glance, when listening to his stories in the media, he's a thug that doesn't care about anything. But after seeing USA forcefully swallow down the fact they won a mere Bronze medal in 2004 in Athens, Allen Iverson was the only one who accepted it. While he is a professional basketball player, and one of the best in the business, he grew up loving football, and will always think of it as the best sport ever. During his first season in 96, he was immediately posting up incredible numbers, including breaking Wilt Chamberlain's record for most 40 point performances in a row done by a rookie. Though as a kid, Iverson dreamed of playing against Michael Jordan, and when he had the chance, he crossed him over, where the entire stadium erupted. However, Jordan disliked Iverson, and if Jordan doesn't like Iverson, America doesn't either.

While Iverson was impressive, his team wasn't. Larry Brown was brought in, and it wasn't long before a feud would explode between the two. The relationship between Brown and Iverson was rather shaky for a couple seasons, but later down the road, in 01, the relationship started healing between them. Iverson even won the MVP trophy when the East posted one of the most amazing come backs in the 3rd quarter, edging out the dominant West by a single point. Iverson even asked for his coach to come up with him and help him accept the trophy. During the playoffs, the Sixers faced many trials, like meeting Reggie Miller in the first round, overcoming Vince Carter's vertical in the second round, and outscoring the prolific shooter 3 point shooter Ray Allen. While they did lose in the finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, who powered their way by sweeping every single team in the West--and it was against elite teams, like the Blazers, Kings, and Spurs--the Sixers stole game one right in the heart of Los Angeles. Later, the franchise went backwards from then on, but Iverson continued to play with his heart, winning the scoring title in 05.

While Iverson is known as a bigger ballhog than even Kobe Bryant, the teams he was with weren't exactly great, which is much thanks to Larry Brown, who got rid of every Sixer when he came in except for Iverson. Despite his team lacking, Iverson's arsenal was always to be feared. He could cross you up, cause you to fall, maybe even twice (Antonio Daniels), or he could light you up. While his dunking abilities all withered away due to age, his speed hasn't let up, and has inspired many young basketball players to replicate the way he plays. And when he does have good teammates that'll finish their shots, Iverson is a terrific passer. During game 7 in one of the most exciting series ever against Vince Carter, Iverson posted a career high 16 assists. Though the thing you have to love the most about him is his heart. His will to win games is just amazing. Being compared to Nate Archibald, Iverson has received many injuries during his career because of his ability to slash into the basket, but he didn't let injuries get in his way of consistently stringing together several great seasons in a row. Iverson may never win a ring as a Sixer, but there's no denying his greatness.

It wasn't long for people to compare Michael Jordan and Grant Hill when he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons. What separates Hill from other compared Jordan players is that he was the closest to being the next Jordan. He was like a mini Kevin...
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It wasn't long for people to compare Michael Jordan and Grant Hill when he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons. What separates Hill from other compared Jordan players is that he was the closest to being the next Jordan. He was like a mini Kevin Garnett that can do almost everything but shoot the 3 well. Yes, while the Pistons also had all star Jerry Stackhouse on the club, the Pistons were still a terrible team, but always managed to find themselves high up on the playoff rankings. The two all stars didn't have very successful careers in the playoffs while in Detroit, so Grant Hill decided to pack his bags and head for Orlando. Detroit fans posted up boards during games, begging Grant Hill not to leave, but it wasn't enough to keep him in the jersey with a teal and burgundy horse. Grant Hill would be playing next to former Toronto Raptors player Tracy McGrady, and people already had Orlando as a serious contendor.

However, the injury bug struck, and Grant Hill, in four seasons, saw less games than in one season. He got so emotional about it, that he cried during an interview. While he was being paid tons of money, this was a player that actually wanted to play and be great, because there's no denying that he would not only be compared to Jordan--even though he already was--he would be seeing him on the same level. Grant Hill's will always be mourned by Orlando, Detroit, and other fans alike. He was a nice guy that was breezing his way into the hall of fame, and then somewhere along the way, a rock trips him. However, on a Pistons fan perspective, trading Grant Hill got them Ben Wallace, most famous for his defensive intensity and afro. Grant Hill's heart will always be remembered by those who saw him play as one of the best players who would rarely lead his team in points, rebounds, and assists.

Only two names in the 03 draft were really bearing recognition; Carmelo Anthony and Lebron James. It was a rivalry that many sought to be as big as Bird and Magic, Russell and Chamberlain. The only rivalry here is which draft was deeper; 03 or...
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Only two names in the 03 draft were really bearing recognition; Carmelo Anthony and Lebron James. It was a rivalry that many sought to be as big as Bird and Magic, Russell and Chamberlain. The only rivalry here is which draft was deeper; 03 or 84, because little did realize how many other good players were picked in that year, such as Chris Bosh, Boris Diaw, Kirk Hinrich, Josh Howard, and most importantly, Dwyane Wade. Selected fifth overall, Dwyane Wade didn't have an immediate impact on the Miami Heat being led by Lamar Odom and Eddie Jones, however, in the playoffs was where he truly shined. It was a three way battle for Rookie of the Year between Wade, Anthony, and Lebron, but while Lebron won it, Anthony and Wade actually led their team to the playoffs. Anthony was out early, unfortunately facing up against the first seeded Minnesota Timberwolves being powered by MVP Kevin Garnett and led by Sam Cassell, but the young star wasn't going to suffer from the same fate, leading his team to the second round, facing off against Jermaine O'Neal, Reggie Miller, and the Indiana Pacers. To everyone's surprise, the Heat gave the Pacers a fight to remember, but it wasn't enough.

The one thing that separates Dwyane Wade from everyone in his position and draft class is his willpower. I've never seen such a dynamic player in my life who was driven by his own will--note, I started watching the NBA during Jordan's last season, and the first game I saw was game 6 of the finals. Dwyane Wade can pull up for the jumper, set up his teammates, make his opponents literally fall to the ground because of his astonishing body control, can deliver some of the most fascinating dunks rivaling Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant, but his most famous trait of his game is his ability to slash into the paint and endure whatever damage comes his way, quite similar to Allen Iverson's style of play. However, the difference between Iverson and Wade is Wade's ability to control his body so well. He can change the direction of his body in an instant as if he were a Dragonball Z character. While he has a nice facet of offensive skills, the comparisons with the legends comes within his clutch ability. Dwyane Wade is a horrible 3 point shooter, but there are several instances in his career when his team needed that 3 the most, and he delivered. Plus, in a game that pitted two ancient rivals against each other with the New York Knicks, Dwyane Wade shocked the entire stadium when he made the game winning basket to seal the win. A shock similar to a Reggie Miller moment.

In 06, when the Miami Heat posted the best record in the East, they were defeated by the Detroit Pistons in a heated battle in the conference finals when Dwyane Wade fell with an injury caused by Rasheed Wallace. The following season, people ranked the Heat as the best team when acquiring players like Antoine Walker, Gary Payton, James Posey, and Jason Williams. While their nucleus was ruined when losing Damon Jones and Eddie Jones, people thought what they got in return would more than make up for it. However, the season rolled in, and Shaq was hit with an injury when playing against the Indiana Pacers, who were also an elite team that would have caused a ton of ruckus the playoffs before if it weren't for the Malice of the Palace incident, which saw suspensions from their best players. Antoine Walker was already hated for his constant mediocre 3 point shooting, and the jokes about his 4 point shooting wouldn't stop. James Posey wasn't the 3 point threat that Eddie Jones was, and Shaq got older. Their record was respectable, but their record against teams with better records was bad. Though when the playoffs came, it took only one player to lead this band of aging veterans into the finals, ultimately bringing Miami its first championship title in franchise history. And when commissioner David Stern was prepared to call out the MVP, everyone knew no one other than Dwyane Wade deserved to be up there.

The fact that this young man is only 24 and has led this team into the finals, even winning it, means the future can only be brighter for this player. However, despite his sophisticated game, the one thing that brings fears in his fan's eyes is exactly that; his game. He endures so much punishment from the big men who try to block his shots, receiving crushing blows to his body, that it won't be long until he gets an injury ending career. And while his body is still young, injuries are worse when you're old, which could force him to play out of his usual game. So it all comes down to his will. One thing's for sure; the talks between Michael Jordan and Dwyane Wade won't stop, especially when Wade played with the flu against the Detroit Pistons in game 6, in which they won it, and the series.