HOUSTON -- Retired Houston Rockets centre Yao Ming could enter the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as early as next year -- not as a player, but a contributor to the game. John Doleva, the president and CEO of the Hall, said Tuesday that Yao has been nominated by a member of the Chinese media and his credentials will be considered by an international panel. As a contributor, Yao would bypass the usual five-year waiting period for retired players. The seven-foot-six Yao retired in July after leg and foot injuries ended his eight-year NBA career. The eight-time all-star averaged 19 points and 9.2 rebounds in the NBA. Hell also be remembered for his global impact on the league, almost single-handedly expanded its reach throughout Asia. Doleva said a panel of seven "experts on the international game" will consider Yaos credentials, and six of the seven will have to approve Yaos election. The panel is only allowed to select one individual, and Doleva said Yao will be facing about 12-to-15 other candidates for induction next year. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 1. Doleva says a member of the Chinese media contacted him to ask about the categories available for individuals, and submitted a formal application this week on Yaos behalf. "It has to go through the process," Doleva said. "There is no guarantee when someone is nominated that they will be elected in their first year. "Thats kind of what makes the process work. The committee takes a look at the pros and cons." Yao can certainly make a compelling argument. His charisma and popularity helped spike merchandise sales and prompted record TV ratings for games after the Rockets made him the top overall pick in the 2002 draft. NBA commissioner David Stern called Yao "a transformational player and a testament to the globalization of our game." Yao also donated US$2-million to set up a foundation to rebuild schools destroyed by the earthquake in Sichuan province in May 2008. He carried the Olympic torch through Tiananmen Square and his countrys flag during the opening ceremonies at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Former Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy, now a television analyst, said Yao deserves Hall of Fame consideration, not just for his statistics, but for his unprecedented impact on the game. Van Gundy coached Yao from 2003 to 07. "Hes been one of the greatest ambassadors to ever set foot on an NBA floor," Van Gundy said. "This guy touched so many people, and really opened doors in China, not only for himself, but for so many others." Doleva said Yao could make more history if hes inducted as both a contributor and a player. Hell first be eligible as a player with the class of 2017. "There are examples of people who have been elected as players, and then elected as coaches," Doleva said. "But there has never been anyone elected as a contributor, and then elected as a player or a coach. "Thats not to say it cant be done, there are no rules against it. But it would be the first time." Cheap NBA Jerseys China . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. http://www.cheapjerseyschi... . Hudsons hit made Mike Adams (3-1) a winner, despite allowing the first run of the game in the eighth. Cory Luebke, a reliever turned starter, lasted five innings of one-hit ball in his first start this season for San Diego.LOS ANGELES -- The Pittsburgh Pirates faced four of the NLs elite starting pitchers in their first four games of the season, yet still emerged with a split. That impressive result didnt feel particularly comforting to the Pirates after Andre Ethier set off a celebration at Dodger Stadium at their expense. Ethier hit a tiebreaking homer off Jason Grilli with two outs in the eighth inning Tuesday, sending the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 2-1 victory on Dodger Stadiums 50th anniversary. Pittsburgh opened a nine-game trip with just five hits against Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers bullpen. After Grilli (0-1) yielded the decisive homer, Andrew McCutchen grounded into a game-ending double play. Yet the disappointment of a dramatic loss didnt erase the satisfaction of another strong effort under difficult circumstances for the Pirates -- and their veteran setup man certainly wasnt fazed by his failure. "I love the adversity," Grilli said. "If I dont, then I shouldnt be doing this. But I relish it. I mean, Im not happy about what happened today, but I cant wait to get the ball the next time, because Im going to win that battle. I guess the good thing about being a reliever is that you can come back out tomorrow and redeem yourself and be a hero." Pittsburgh didnt get caught up in the party around the Dodgers home opener, either. Kevin Correia shut down Los Angeles offence after Matt Kemps RBI groundout in the first inning until the Pirates evened it in the seventh on Matt Hagues run-scoring groundout. Correia yielded four hits and two walks over six innings in his season debut for Pittsburgh after missing the final six weeks of last season with a strained oblique, matching Kershaws seven-inning effort for the Dodgers. "Its a small sample, but weve been pitching great," Pirates catcher Rod Barajas said. "But weve had some tough matchups: (Roy) Halladay, (Cliff) Lee, (Cole) Hamels, and then we get Kershaw, but were competing day in and day out. So no matter whos on the mound, were going to battle. Hopefully we come out on top more often than not." Kenley Jansen ((1-0) pitched the eighth, and Javy Guerra pitched the ninth for his third save.dddddddddddd "This is the kind of game were going to have to play," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. "I dont expect to see us get blown out, and Im not so sure were going to blow out a lot of people, so right now theres not much margin for error. Theres really no safety net. Youve got to earn victories up here, and they earned one today." Exactly 50 years after Dodger Stadium opened, Ethier hit a solo shot before emerging from the dugout for a curtain call that didnt seem out of place, even in early April. After two years of mediocrity on the field and increasingly bizarre developments in the front office of Southern Californias much-loved team, the Dodgers are off to a 4-1 start to their first season since resolving Frank McCourts messy ownership tenure. "Everybody is excited about whats going on right now, and rightfully so," said Ethier, starting his seventh season with the Dodgers. "The vibe in this stadium today, thats an addicting feeling. We had that for several years here, and then it went away, and part of that was how we were playing on the field. It felt good to look up and see that support again." Kershaw allowed four hits and struck out seven, bouncing back from his first start last week in San Diego, which ended after three innings because of an illness that lingered until recently. He failed to win at home for just the third time in 14 starts, but still hasnt lost at Dodger Stadium since early last season. NOTES: The Beach Boys, who are also celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, performed before the game and sang the national anthem. Brian Wilson and his fellow members wore Dodgers jerseys with No. 50 on the back. ... Dee Gordon led off the first with a single and scored on a groundout by Kemp, who tied the franchise record for consecutive games with an RBI shared by Roy Campanella and Augie Galan.... 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