The 8 Greatest Rockets in history, ranked by Player Efficiency Rating (PER)

4. Yao Ming- 23

For those who didn't get to watch Yao Ming, he was sensational. Yao was drafted with the first overall pick and lived up to the hype and expectations. 

Which doesn't happen often.

Although Yao's career was cut short due to unfortunate injuries to his lower extremities, his impact and greatness was felt.

Yao had excellent touch around the rim and he had a lethal turnaround jumper. And although Yao was 7-foot-6, he was highly skilled. And he was a high IQ player.

He always made the right reads and was highly underrated as a passer. Yao was always a target for opposing players who hoped to go viral for dunking on the 7'6 top overall pick, but he held his own against the league’s best, including Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O'Neal.

Yao is easily one of the greatest international players to lace 'em up and he's surely one of the greatest international bigs of all-time. 

All told, Yao played nine seasons, averaging 19 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.6 assists, 52.4 percent from the field, and 83.3 percent from the foul line.

Yao was an eight-time All-Star, a five-time All-NBA member, and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee in 2016.