Erik Zhang is a dork

But apparently he's giving the Rockets alot of support. He keeps saying that Yao's idol growing up was Dream, and that Yao would like him here. Too bad the Chinese govt. doesn't recognize him as Ming's agent.






Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson put on his best poker face while trying to downplay the significance of Thursday's first face-to-face meeting with representatives for Chinese star Yao Ming.

Nothing out of the ordinary, Dawson explained to a roomful of reporters. Except the Rockets own the No. 1 pick in next month's NBA draft. And Yao is not your run-of-the-mill 7-5 center.

"They know they are here for one reason, and that's because we have that first pick," Dawson said at an impromptu news conference at Compaq Center. "We're very interested. That's why you invite people down, to show you're interested.

"You go through a process. They had a lot of questions to ask us. We had a lot of questions to ask them. It went very well."

Four days after winning the NBA draft lottery, the Rockets immediately turned their attention to Yao, arguably the most intriguing prospect in this year's draft.

Dawson invited John Huizinga and Erik Zhang, a distant cousin of Yao, to visit Houston for a preliminary get-acquainted meeting. There were no discussions on what it would take to get Yao to the NBA, Dawson said.

"It's not important at this point that we reach an agreement, what's important now is just to know who we are dealing with," said Huizinga, a deputy dean of the University of Chicago business school and professor of economics.

Rockets officials took Yao's representatives on a tour of the team's Westside Tennis Club practice facility and downtown arena, which is under construction.

The pair also was introduced to leaders in the city's Asian community, most notably City Councilman Gordon Quan and former Councilwoman Martha Wong.

"We wanted an opportunity to show off our great city," Rockets chief operating officer George Postolos said. "One of the best things that we heard is Yao Ming is a fan of Houston and his idol growing up was Hakeem Olajuwon.

"He likes the idea of playing for the Houston Rockets. That was music to our ears."

Zhang, who leaves Saturday for a one-month trip to China, also took with him videotape prepared by the Rockets with messages from Asian business, community and political leaders introducing him to the city.

"It's very important for us to learn more about Houston and the team," said Zhang, 28, a University of Chicago business school student. "I think Houston has a lot of positive things going for it."

Asked what he thinks Yao's impressions will be of Houston's presentation, Zhang replied: "I think he will be excited. I can honestly say we are impressed."

Houston Mayor Lee Brown is in China on a trade mission and is trying to arrange a Monday meeting with Chinese political leaders regarding Yao, Quan said.

"It would be like having the Michael Jordan of China playing in Houston," Quan said of the possibility of the Rockets drafting Yao with the top pick. "He can revolutionize this team the same way Hakeem first did when he came out of college."

Olajuwon, from Lagos, Nigeria, was the Rockets' No. 1 pick in the 1984 draft. He led them to NBA championships in 1994 and 1995 before his trade to the Toronto Raptors prior to last season.

Before the Rockets engage in any serious discussions regarding Yao, a few issues must be resolved. It is uncertain whether Yao, 21, will visit Houston and work out before the draft, although Zhang said that possibility is being discussed.

The Rockets saw Yao work out in an NBA-sponsored practice in Chicago on May 1. He's not scheduled to return to the United States until July with the Chinese national team.

Another complication facing the Rockets is the involvement of the Chinese government. Half of Yao's NBA salary would go to the Chinese government and his club team, the Shanghai Sharks, which is also believed to want a player in return from the team that drafts Yao.

"Our goal and the goal of the Chinese Basketball Association is to do what is best for Yao Ming and in turn what is best for the Houston Rockets," Zhang said. "I don't foresee major problems.

"We will try and resolve this issue as quickly as possible. I don't think it's insurmountable."

Dawson joked during the informal news conference of the attention surrounding the visit by Yao's representatives.

"We aren't doing anything we don't normally do," Dawson said. "It's just who y'all are representing that makes this a lot different.

"Agents come in all the time and talk to me and we don't get this much publicity."

Also Thursday, the Rockets worked out forward Caron Butler of Connecticut, forward Aaron McGhee of Oklahoma and guard Kareem Rush of Missouri.

Forwards Drew Gooden of Kansas and Amare Stoudemire of Cypress Creek (Orlando, Fla.) High School, are scheduled to be at Westside Tennis Club today.

 

Take a good look at the guy.

Now you tell me. If you were the projected 1st overall pick, would you want this guy handling your negotiations?

 

What about Jerry Maguire? Now there's an agent you can trust.