<i>Rockets still awaiting clearance on Yao By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle Rockets general counsel Michael Goldberg left China late Monday with the Rockets still awaiting the clearance to make Yao Ming the first player taken in the draft but still confident that approval would come. Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said that Goldberg reported that the Rockets had done everything they could do to help Yao receive the recommendations in China needed for FIBA to grant the letter of clearance necessary for Yao to be drafted. The remaining talks were between Yao and his representative Erick Zhang and Chinese officials to reach an agreement on the payments Yao would make to the Shanghai Sharks and China Basketball Association. "We're still waiting," Dawson said. "Michael said he thinks we had a great week, as we all do. He has done all he could, so he's heading home." The Rockets had been scheduled to work out Duke point guard Jay Williams, today, but Williams cancelled. If Yao is selected first, Williams is considered certain to be the second player taken in the draft. The Rockets are hoping to reschedule his workout for later this week. The Rockets on Monday exercised their option to switch second-round draft picks with Miami, completing the transactions from the Hakeem Olajuwon sign-and-trade deal with Toronto. The move will give the Rockets the ninth pick of the second round, 37th overall (because the Timberwolves forfeited their pick, there are 28 picks in the first round).</i>
Ming's release as close as it has ever been and the Rockets getting the 37th pick in the draft!! SWEET!!!!! Life is good in Clutch City.
