Yao Ming Reveals Why He Loves the City Of Philadelphia

We have all heard NBA players say great things about their favorite road cities. Miami gets love for South Beach, New York for the bright lights, and LA for… well, being LA. But Houston Rockets legend Yao Ming? This 7’6″ Hall of Famer had his heart stolen by Philadelphia for a much different thing: cheesesteaks. Yeah, you read that right. Ming has a deep gratitude for a sandwich that is halfway across the world from where he lives.

Yao Ming’s Unexpected Philadelphia Romance

Ming was having a conversation with Kyle Kuzma when he revealed his love for Philadelphia. When asked about his favorite road destination during his playing days, the big man didn’t hesitate. Philadelphia topped his list, and it wasn’t because of the Liberty Bell or the Rocky statue. “The cheesesteaks,” Ming said.

Now, here’s where it gets beautifully ironic. Ming, a guy who could probably eat a dozen Pat’s or Geno’s specials and still have room for dessert, was completely smitten with Philadelphia’s culinary crown jewel. And honestly? It makes perfect sense. When you’re that tall and need that many calories to fuel your basketball dominance, you better believe you are going to remember the cities that feed you right.

Ming Was Solid In Philadelphia

Speaking of dominance, let’s talk about what the big guy actually did when he visited the Philadelphia 76ers. Besides cheesesteaks, Ming’s 18.5 points and 10 rebounds a game are a reason he might love Philadelphia. Those aren’t just solid numbers. They are borderline great numbers. That is the kind of impact he had out on the court.

Here is the thing that still frustrates basketball fans: we were robbed of seeing his full potential. Those devastating foot injuries that cut short his career feel even more tragic when you realize what we lost. This was just the start of what could’ve been one of the greatest NBA careers ever.

The Legacy Of a Gentle Giant

Ming’s career was a masterclass in grace under pressure. He bridged cultures, elevated the NBA’s global reach, and did it all while maintaining the kind of humility that made him universally beloved. The fact that his favorite road memory involves Philadelphia cheesesteaks? That is peak Ming right there.

It is almost poetic that a player who gave us so many memorable moments would remember Philadelphia not for the games he dominated, but for the simple pleasure of a well-made sandwich. In a league obsessed with legacy and greatness, sometimes the most endearing stories are the most human ones.