The Rockets also had three giants, Yao Ming, McGrady and Artest, who did not win the championship due to injury

On May 13, the Houston Rockets in 2005 made countless Chinese fans crazy. The team with Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest had the chance to set off a red storm in the NBA, but eventually fell under the curse of injury. Looking back at that period of history now, it is still a pity. The arrival of Yao Ming makes the Rockets the home team of Chinese fans. Yao Ming, who joined the Rockets as the No. 1 pick in 2002, quickly gained a foothold in the NBA with his solid footsteps and soft touch. By the 2004-05 season, Yao Ming had grown into a top center with an average of 18.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. His back-to-back singles and hook shots make the opponent unable to defend, and his deterrent power on the defensive end makes the Rockets' inside a no-fly zone. More importantly, Yao Ming represents the hope of Chinese basketball, and every game he plays touches the hearts of hundreds of millions of Chinese fans.

In the summer of 2004, the Rockets made a decision to change the team's fate - a deal to Tracy McGrady. The two-time scoring champion showed amazing talent during the Magic, and his pull-out jump shots and breakthrough layups are art. After partnering with Yao Ming, McGrady averaged 25.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. In the game against the Spurs on December 9, 2004, McGrady scored 13 points in the last 35 seconds, creating the "McDy Moment" that has been recorded in history. This scene has become an eternal classic in the hearts of Chinese fans and also shows the infinite possibilities of this Rockets.

In 2008, the Rockets added another strong support and traded the Kings to defensive player Ron Artest. The "Beast" who once triggered the Auburn Palace Fighting has found a new position on the Rockets. Although his average of 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game is not amazing, his tough defense and big heart at critical moments have brought the Rockets' overall strength to a higher level. Artest's arrival finally gives the Rockets a "Big Three" combination that can compete with the Western Conference giants.

In the 2008-09 season, the Rockets showed a championship appearance. Yao Ming scored his best career performance, averaging 19.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game; although McGrady was troubled by injuries, he was still able to contribute 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5 assists; Artest became the team's defensive core and spiritual leader. The Rockets ranked fifth in the Western Conference with a record of 53 wins and 29 losses. In the first round of the playoffs, Yao Ming performed dominantly and led the team to advance 4-2. In the Western Conference semi-finals against the final champion Lakers, the Rockets showed amazing resilience. With McGrady's season reimbursement due to injury, Yao Ming and Artest led the team to fight the Lakers for seven games, but they finally lost. In that round of the series, the scene of Yao Ming insisting on returning after being injured in his first game became one of the most touching moments in NBA history.

However, the shadow of injuries always lingers over the Rockets. Yao Ming's foot injury recurred, and he announced the season's reimbursement after only five games in the 2009-10 season, and then he retired directly; McGrady's back and knee injuries caused his condition to decline sharply, and he was eventually traded to the Knicks in 2010; Artest also chose to join the Lakers in the summer of 2010. In this way, the Rockets "Big Three" that once made countless people expect disintegrate in a state of failure to realize their championship dream.

Looking back at this history, we can't help but ask: If there were no injuries, how far could this Rockets go? The combination of Yao Ming, McGrady and Artest could have left a more brilliant chapter in NBA history. Yao Ming's inside dominance, McGrady's scoring explosiveness and Artest's defensive hardness form a nearly perfect championship puzzle. Unfortunately, the cruelty of professional sports lies in the lack of if.

For Chinese fans, the Rockets' "Big Three" era carries too much emotion. That was the golden period of Yao Ming's career, the highest achievement of Chinese players in the NBA, and an important chapter in the youthful memory of countless people. Although he failed to win the championship in the end, that red memory is always worthy of treasure. As one fan said: "What we love is not the champion, but the process of fighting for our dreams. "

Now, Yao Ming has been inducted into the Hall of Fame, and both McGrady and Artest have retired for many years. But whenever I think of the Rockets that fought seven games with the Lakers in 2009, recalling Yao Ming's back staggering back to the court, and recalling McGrady's miracle of 35 seconds and 13 seconds, it still makes people excited. This is the charm of sports. Even if the champion is not crowned, those figures who work hard for their dreams will always be worth remembering.