As a Chicago-based NBA analyst with a stats-driven mindset, I’ve re-examined Yao Ming’s career through data and context. The truth? He wasn’t just unlucky — he was systematically mismanaged. This isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about numbers. With insights from player movement metrics, injury timelines, and coaching decisions, I break down how health — not talent — defined his legacy. Spoiler: Had he stayed lean and mobile, he could’ve matched today’s elite centers like Nikola Jokic. Let’s talk facts, not fairy tales.