Former Rockets center Yao Ming had happily told the story many times before, but then it might have seemed like a coincidence. The first time he saw an NBA game was a broadcast between the Rockets and Knicks. His teammates all pulled for the Knicks. He chose the Rockets.
Now, with the announcement of the Hall of Fame Class of 2016 to be announced in Houston on April 4 it all seemed like more than fortuitous coincidence.
"You talk about coincidence; I talk about destiny," Yao said. "It goes back to the '94 Finals, Houston against New York.