Kyle Lowry (L) and Yao Ming (R) of the Houston Rockets sit on the bench during the second half of Game 5 of their NBA Western Conference semi-final basketball playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, May 12, 2009. Reuters Pictures 7 months ago

Kyle Lowry (L) and Yao Ming (R) of the Houston Rockets sit on the bench during the second half of Game 5 of their NBA Western Conference semi-final basketball playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, May 12, 2009.

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  1. Houston Rockets All Star Yao Ming announces the philanthropic partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) and his foundation for the inaugural Yao Ming Foundation Gala, Saturday, January 30, 2010, benefiting both the Yao Ming Foundation and the new MFAH permanent gallery dedicated to the Arts of China, an important initiative for Chinese Americans and all Houstonians. Pictured: Jack Zhao, CEO iTALK BB Global Communications; Yao Ming; Dr. Peter Marzio, MFAH Director.
  2. Houston Rockets' Yao Ming, of China, sits on the Rockets bench during a NBA basketball game on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009 in Houston. Yao Ming is out for the season after having surgery on his left foot.
  3. Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, right, of China, gets a high-five from patient Eric Santos during a visit Monday, Dec. 14, 2009 in Houston. Several Rockets' players visited patients at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital and handed out gifts.
  4. Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, of China, hands out a present to patient Alejandro Marin, 5, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009 in Houston. Several Rockets' players visited patients at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital and handed out gifts.
  5. Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, of China, hands a present to patient Samuel Knight, 3, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009 in Houston. Several Rockets' players visited patients at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital and handed out gifts.
  6. A man looks at a Taiwanese newspaper at a newstand in Taipei showing a photo and headline story about US President Barack Obama's town hall event in Shanghai on the front page on November 17, 2009. Obama fielded questions from his audience of university students as well as Internet users on November 16, speaking on subjects ranging from 'universal rights' and Taiwan to Chinese NBA basketball star Yao Ming.
  7. Houston Rockets' Kyle Lowry (7) reacts after being called for a foul during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, in Houston. The Spurs defeated the Rockets 92-84.
  8. Houston Rockets' Kyle Lowry (7) fouls San Antonio Spurs' George Hill (3) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, in Houston. The Spurs defeated the Rockets 92-84.
  9. Houston Rockets' Kyle Lowry, front, charges into Dallas Mavericks' Tim Thomas during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009, in Houston.
  10. ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 20: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Houston Rockets looks on as Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after a last second dunk to give the Hawks a 105-103 win at Philips Arena on November 20, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.
  11. ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 20: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Houston Rockets converses with referee Joe Forte #45 during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on November 20, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia.
  12. Houston Rockets guard Kyle Lowry (7) takes a shot against Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game at Philips Arena, Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, in Atlanta.
  13. San Antonio Spurs' George Hill (3) is defended by Houston Rockets' David Anderson, of Australia, during the fourth quarter of a preseason NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.
  14. Houston Rockets' Garrett Temple (2) is defended by San Antonio Spurs' Ian Mahinmi (28) during the fourth quarter of a preseason NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.
  15. Houston Rockets' Trevor Ariza (1) is defended by San Antonio Spurs' Richard Jefferson (24) during the first quarter of a preseason NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009. Houston won 99-85. Ariza scored 9 points.
  16. San Antonio Spurs' Ian Mahinmi (28) is defended by Houston Rockets' Chuck Hayes (44) during the second quarter of a preseason NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009.

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  1. A couple looks at the Perito Moreno glacier from a balcony near the city of El Calafate, in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, December 14, 2009. Scientists warn that glaciers in the Andes are melting because of the effects of climate change. According to studies, these accumulations of ice are thawing at a pace so fast that they could disappear in 25 years.
  2. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (L) runs past Arizona Cardinals cornerback Bryant McFadden to score on a 35-yard reception during the second quarter of their NFL football game in San Francisco, California December 14, 2009.
  3. NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 15: Daniel Vettori of New Zealand fields off his own bowling during day five of the Third Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan at McLean Park on December 15, 2009 in Napier, New Zealand.
  4. NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 15: Iain O'Brien celebrates with the New Zealand team after claiming the wicket of Umar Gul of Pakistan during day five of the Third Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan at McLean Park on December 15, 2009 in Napier, New Zealand.
  5. NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 15: Umpire Rudi Koertzen puts Daniel Vettori of New Zealand's cap back on his head during day five of the Third Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan at McLean Park on December 15, 2009 in Napier, New Zealand.
  6. NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 15: Iain O'Brien walks off with Chris Martin of New Zealand after bowling in his final test match during day five of the Third Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan at McLean Park on December 15, 2009 in Napier, New Zealand.
  7. NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 15: Daniel Vettori of New Zealand fields off his own bowling during day five of the Third Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan at McLean Park on December 15, 2009 in Napier, New Zealand.
  8. NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 15: Brendon McCullum appeals successfully for the wicket of Mohammad Asif of Pakistan off the bowling of Martin Guptill during day five of the Third Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan at McLean Park on December 15, 2009 in Napier, New Zealand.
  9. Buffalo Sabres Clarke MacArthur celebrates his game-winning goal on the Montreal Canadiens during the third period of NHL hockey play in Montreal December 14, 2009.
  10. Cast member Hugh Grant arrives for the film premiere of "Did You Hear About The Morgans?" in New York December 14, 2009.
  11. Florida Panthers' goalie Tomas Vokoun (29) of the Czech Republic blocks a shot at the goal as New York Islanders' Matt Moulson (26), readies his stick during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, in Uniondale, N.Y. The Panthers beat the Islanders 7-1.
  12. New York Islanders' Dwayne Roloson reacts as Florida Panthers' Nathan Horton (16), Michael Frolik of the Czech Republic (67) and Dmitry Kulikov (43) of Russia celebrate the first of two goals by Horton in the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, in Uniondale, N.Y.
  13. Florida Panthers' Nathan Horton (16),hits the puck past New York Islanders' goalie Dwayne Roloson for his second goal of the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, in Uniondale, N.Y.
  14. Florida Panthers' Nathan Horton (16),hits the puck past New York Islanders' goalie Dwayne Roloson for his second goal of the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, in Uniondale, N.Y.
  15. New York Islanders' Dwayne Roloson reacts as Florida Panthers' Nathan Horton (16), Michael Frolik of the Czech Republic (67) and Dmitry Kulikov (43) of Russia celebrate the first of two goals by Horton in the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, in Uniondale, N.Y.
  16. In this photo released by Greenpeace, three protestors hang a 100 square meter banner over the side of the Sydney Opera House in Australia, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009. With climate negotiations at an impasse as world leaders arrive in Copenhagen, Greenpeace activists attempted to send the message: "Stop The Politics, Climate Treaty Now."