Houston Rockets fans have been singing the infectious chorus of "It's a Ming Thing" for weeks.

You can, too. Just chant "Yao Ming, Yao Ming-Yao Ming-Yao Ming, Yao Ming, Yao Ming" to the tune of the soccer-fan anthem "Ole, Ole, Ole."

The song was penned before the 2.26-meter Yao even signed a contract with the Rockets as the No. 1 pick in the draft. And it's getting into people's heads, especially now that the Chinese center is blossoming just two months into his NBA career.

"Subconsciously, I found myself singing it at home," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "I find myself wailing through the house, 'Yao Ming, Yao Ming-Yao Ming-Yao Ming."'

The song was written by Chance McClain, a real estate appraiser, and Kevin Ryan, a graphic artist. They grew up together in the area and have churned out other tunes, usually lighthearted looks at the Houston sports scene. But "It's a Ming Thing" is their big number.

McClain wrote the song while driving on the highway after learning Rockets guard Steve Francis drew the lottery ball for the No. 1 pick in the 2002 draft, allowing the team to draft Yao.

The duo's songs have led to several local commercial jingles and a record deal, with the first CD due on January 7. It's called "Greatest Hit," a nod to the Yao-inspired song that's getting air play from Houston to Shanghai and points in between.

"We're kind of poking fun at ourselves with our title. We know most people will be buying the album for that song," Ryan said. "We have no idea all the places it's being played. It's just kind of gotten passed around the world."

The song originally was available for free on the Internet. But now that there's commercial demand, only a snippet can be downloaded legally.

The first verse of the 2-minute, 14-second song recalls the days when Hakeem "the Dream" Olajuwon led the Rockets to consecutive NBA titles in the 1990s:

"Without the Dream no one thought we'd survive, for too long we've been deprived. /The final piece of the puzzle has arrived,/the missing link of a championship drive.''

Yao is establishing himself in the NBA quicker than many thought. He is averaging 13.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and two blocks a game, while ranking second in the league in shooting percentage (.567).

He says he likes the song, although he blushed when told it's playing in China, where Rockets games are broadcast in the morning.

"They call it 'Breakfast with Yao,' and our song is played before each game," he said.

Other McClain-Ryan songs include an homage to former Rockets reserve forward Matt Bullard called "Air Bull," as well as ones about Rockets guard Moochie Norris' ever-changing hairstyles and flamboyant former Houston Astros pitcher Jose Lima.

McClain and Ryan have no grand expectations about their suddenly percolating musical careers. They understand how quickly success can fade.

"We know," McClain said, "we're the Macarena."

(eastday.com January 2, 2003)