With the first pick the Houston Rocket's select Ming Yao

Rockets inform Yao's team of long-term interest
Associated Press

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HOUSTON -- The Houston Rockets have notified the Shanghai-based team of Chinese basketball player Yao Ming indicating they'd like to have a long term relationship with the 7-foot-5 center who could be the top pick in the upcoming NBA draft, according to a broadcast report Friday.

Shanghai Sharks general manager Li Yaomin told Houston television station KRIV in a telephone interview his team had received a letter it had requested earlier in the week giving the Rockets' assurance that if they draft Yao June 26 they will keep him and not trade him.

"The process is now at the stage I have been waiting for. We can now meet face to face with the Rockets and the real negotiations can begin,'' Li told the station through interpreter John Dao, a Houston businessman who is the Sharks' local spokesman. "I am extremely happy with the Rockets' expression of a long term relationship with Yao Ming.''

The Rockets had planned to send coach Rudy Tomjanovich, team attorney Mike Goldberg and general manager Carroll Dawson to China this weekend to get assurances that if the Rockets use the No. 1 pick on Yao, he would be allowed to play in the United States next season without interruption.

But Li told the Rockets not to come to China until after the draft unless the Sharks got reassurances from the Rockets they were serious about drafting Yao.

Rockets officials could not immediately be reached for comment. Dawson planned to meet with reporters later Friday.

However, Dao said negotiations to acquire Yao's services could be complicated by another Chinese player, Wang Zhizhi.

Wang, who's played for the Dallas Mavericks the last two seasons, has failed to report to China for mandatory training with his national team.

Chinese basketball and Mavericks officials don't know where he is, fueling speculation Wang might be thinking of defecting.

"It's negative. (Li) says (it) may have a big impact because of the security of such a talented asset and person,'' Dao said.

Li has said that before the Rockets can acquire Yao, approval will have to come first from the Far East Recreation Club, which owns the Sharks.

Also, the mayor of Shanghai must give his blessing. Then, the Sharks would seek approval from the national government in Beijing, the China National Basketball Association and the China Olympic Basketball Committee, in that order.

Okay here's the link... forgot to give you that.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nbadraft/story

 

Yeah desihooper beat me, but I checked and never guessed 5 would be the some post... anyway the news is good no matter who posts it. I think this is a very positive step and an indication that the Sharks realize they will have to deal with us. I wonder what caused the sudden change of heart. I have some experience in dealing with man like Yaomin and I am surprised by his sudden change of heart.

It makes me wonder if Yao's people are giving him pressure.

 

Yeah desihooper beat me, but I checked through the threads and never guessed 5 would be the same post...

Anyway the news is good no matter who posts it. I think this is a very positive step and an indication that the Sharks realize they will have to deal with us. I wonder what caused the sudden change of heart. I have some experience in dealing with man like Yaomin and I am surprised by his sudden change of heart.

It makes me wonder if Yao's people are giving him pressure.