I am totally in to the recruiting side of the draft, but who out there is tired of "chumming" up to the Chinese governement about his availability, playing time, contract release, government payments, marketing deals and other fringes? I feel that this is the freakin NBA and we should not have to beg and plead with anyone to get a player over here. It may sound one sided and completely egotistical, but come on. The NBA will give the positive exposure needed by the Chinese governement and if anything, the government and the player should be more than accomodating on all fronts. There should be no question as to his availability and other things. I know they feel National Pride is at stake, but everyone knows they can dominate the Asian games without Ming. The NBA is the biggest marketing play they can have on the world stage. Playing in the NBA is a dream for youth throughout the world and this should be cherished by everyone, including the Chinese goverment. I guess I just do not understand their perspective, but they know this is huge for them. I dare to say this is bigger than their CBA, Asian Games or anyone other basketball event!
I tell you what. With China's unprecedented demands, they better hope that Ming is the next greatest thing or I'd be willing to bet that it'll be a long time before anyone takes a chance on one of their players again. What's being forgotten here is that they (the Chinese) are getting just as much out of his hoped-for success as the NBA.
I am sure the Chinese government fully understands that and wants to see Yao playing for NBA as much as any one else. However, everyone wants a piece of that big pie and so does the Chinese government, which does not behave the same way as the other government we are used to. They may hold the cards longer than they should or demand something silly. In the end, I believe everything will work out. Let's relax and let Rockets worry all those details...
