NY Post: Yao Deal Hits Big Snag

Take this with a grain of salt because they mention how the Rockets may have to trade the pick...to NYC of course...and this is the NY Post after all, but the sources seem fairly sound.

<i>LATE SNAG MAY KO MING TO NBA
By MARC BERMAN

June 24, 2002 -- With the draft just two days away, a roadblock has arisen in negotiations with the Chinese Basketball Association that could prevent 7-5 center Yao Ming from being drafted Wednesday, sources in China told The Post late last night.

Because of Maverick forward Wang Zhi Zhi's decision not to return to China this month for national-team practices and fearing his defection, the Chinese Basketball Association now wants a written document from the NBA, guaranteeing Ming's participation in all Chinese National Team functions.

Ming's agent, Erick Zhang, who is based in Chicago, has been in China negotiating with Chinese basketball officials the past few days.

If there's no agreement with the Chinese Basketball Association, Ming may not get clearance from FIBA, the international governing body, and then is not eligible to be drafted.

Ming will be the top pick in the draft by Houston if the FIBA clears him. If not, the Rockets could wind up trading the pick because it does not want point guard Jay Williams. The Knicks have maintained constant dialogue with Rockets GM Carroll Dawson.

Lou Hong Liang, an interpreter for the Shanghai Sharks, told The Post last night, "The CBA is afraid. The only concern is whenever the national team meets, he can come back and no one can guarantee this."

The Sharks' official added, "I think it's difficult. Will the NBA write a guarantee for that? If they will, that's OK. If the NBA writes the guarantee, everything will be OK but there seems to be no agreement. If he can't go, he'll play for the Sharks and the national team."

The Rockets aren't involved in the negotiations. A source familiar with the situation told The Post that Chinese officials don't trust Ming's representative, Zhang, because he may have had contact with Zhi Zhi, who's reportedly in northern California. The concern is Ming could be a threat to defect, too. Ming won't attend the draft because of national team practices.

A Rocket spokesman said last night, "Our position is we're waiting on the sidelines. As far as we're concerned, there's not a role for us to play."

An NBA spokesman had no knowledge of the CBA's new demands.

Chinese officials also believe Zhang "exaggerated" in his press conference Saturday in China in which he announced an agreement with the Sharks regarding compensation, indicating they had cleared their most important hurdle. Lou Hong Liang pointed out that no Shanghai Shark official was present at the news conference.

Two days ago, Zhang said, "The CBA will give us a reply to our proposal by Monday so I hope an agreement can be reached with the CBA quickly and I'm confident it can be reached before the draft."</i>

 

http://www.clutchcity.net/news.cfm?NewsID=1027

Damn, Clutch is GOOD!!! 5:?? am this morning! Does he ever sleep??

 

Yeah, I'll be the first. Only 30+ to go.

BTW: Everyone read Clutch's story. He nailed the whole truth!

 

I haven't heard much, but I do know that Francis is talking with the Rockets about everything and that nothing (his displeasure or his committments) is set in concrete. I know that really isn't much, but it's really all I know at the moment.

MY OPINION: I think the thing with Francis will blow over. He apparently threw a similar tantrum when the Griffin deal was made last year. From what I've heard, Steve hasn't really even seen Yao play, so I have to believe that his opinion will change. In addition, Francis loves Rudy T and CD. He really does trust them, so their opinion is important.

If I had to bet on it, I would bet that Francis still signs his deal this summer.

 

EXACTLY!!! Check the quotes out side-by-side...

The interpreter:

<i>"The CBA is afraid," said Lou Hong Liang, an interpreter for the Shanghai Sharks, to the Post. "The only concern is whenever the national team meets, he can come back and no one can guarantee this. I think it's difficult. Will the NBA write a guarantee for that? If they will, that's OK. If the NBA writes the guarantee, everything will be OK but there seems to be no agreement. If he can't go, he'll play for the Sharks and the national team."

Lou Hong Liang also reportedly told the Post that Zhang exaggerated at Saturday's press conference in announcing a financial deal with the Sharks. Liang cited the fact that no Shark official was present at the conference. </i>

Never heard of that guy.

This is from the Chronicle and the guy speaking is a spokesman for the Sharks' owner...

<i>"We have a basic agreement with Erick and with Yao Ming's family," said Yi Le (Shanghai Television network), who attended the negotiations and works for Sharks owner Bai Li. "The club agrees Yao Ming can go to the NBA. With the time very short, we have no time to prepare the documents to sign the agreement. We believe each other. This is the basic thing. We can go through to CBA. The Rockets need the release. That's critical. (It) must be approved now by the CBA." </i>

That would be like asking an interpreter in China versus asking a spokesman for the Rockets about how Steve Francis is doing. Who do you trust?