Rockets planning China trip to woo likely No. 1 pick Yao Posted: Tuesday June 04, 2002 12:15 PM HOUSTON (AP) -- The Houston Rockets are assembling a delegation to travel to China to discuss selecting 7-foot-5 center Yao Ming with the first pick of the NBA draft. "We are working on getting a contingent together and we are trying to finalize some details," Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis said Tuesday. "We're still not set on exactly who is going. We're not sure everyone's schedule can work." Houston television station KRIV reported Monday that general manager Carroll Dawson, coach Rudy Tomjanovich and team attorney Mike Goldberg could make the trip as early as this week. The Rockets won the NBA lottery and will make the first pick in the draft to be held June 26. The Rockets, who need rebounding help, could make Yao the top pick if they can reach agreement with the Chinese government on his availability. Houston Mayor Lee Brown, who was in China last week, said the mayor of Shanghai told him he would recommend to Yao's family that he continue his basketball career in the NBA. Brown said he was also told that China wants assurances that Yao will be able to play for its national team during international competition.
Good stuff fellas (i read both threads at the same time )... cant wait until they get back...Im sure we will know what direction we are going once they return!!!
Well I guess it's obvious what the Rockets plan on doing with the #1 pick now. To all the people who don't want Ming.
i think this clears up a lot. we want ming, and we hope it can work out. if it doesnt its time to trade!
This doesn't really change anything. The Rockets are doing a thorough scouting job just like they should do with any other prospect. My guess is, this is put up or shut up time. Rudy/CD are going there, basically with an ultimatum-meet our requirements, or Ming doesn't go #1. It's just bigger, badder, and uncut-if they can't come to us, we'll go to them. I have a feeling we'll get a Ming decision shortly upon their arrival back home.
Three round trip tickets to China? Sounds like a pretty expensive smokescreen to me ... We should know a lot by this time next week.
I had Chinese food for dinner last night, when I poped open my fortune cookie, it said " You will have a Big Surpise in the coming Months" Well now I know what it is, MING will be a Rocket!!! What do you think his Number will be, Cato is already 13,(I saw him with the number 13 in a pic) Number 25 maybe good for him,....hmm, Im too excited I must calm down
Good point...though, most of the key players that would even be considered for #15 are only going to get weighed and measured. However, usually they pride themselves on their 2nd round selections, which is the usually what the CHI tourney is for. The article only mentioned RT/CD/an attorney, so I'd guess all the scouts would check out Chicago.
Posum, You got to talk to Miss Cleo, Man your lucky I have been trying to talk to her FOREVER Well I really do hope we get Him, I know Im not alone in that wish, ANYONE with a vison for the future is hoping the same thing!
There is no reason they should miss the chicago draft camp. They are there today and it will be over on friday. so they should leave this weekend
Is Cuttino going? Seriously, the Rockets need to bring some players with them, if they are going to put Ming through a workout. After he was pushed around in Chicago, it would be a good idea to give him a 2nd try at holding down the post. Maybe he was just jet lagged (in Chicago), but the Rockets need to know if he is soft or not.
