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Chron: Rockets can't wait for Yao to join mix/ Final approval expected after Monday

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by ron413, Oct 10, 2002.

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  1. ron413

    ron413 Member

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    http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1611408

    Oct. 9, 2002, 10:43PM

    Rockets can't wait for Yao to join mix
    Final approval expected after Monday
    By JONATHAN FEIGEN
    Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle

    Down to the latest "final hurdle," the eventual arrival of Yao Ming at least felt more imminent to the Rockets.

    The Rockets still must receive the long-awaited final clearance from the China Basketball Association for the contract to be valid. Yao's agent Erick Zhang said on Wednesday that he thought that OK might not come until after the Asian Games end Monday, so that there is no appearance of mixing priorities.

    But with agreement between Yao and the Rockets on his rookie contract, another step -- even if it was the most certain of steps -- was cleared in getting the first player taken in the NBA draft to the NBA.

    "We're looking forward to getting him over to be with us," Steve Francis said. "We just have to get him here and help him react to all of this. Chinese basketball is big, but what he's going to come into will be like 10 times as big. We're willing to help him adjust to the money, the fame and the pounding.

    "You got to have your teammates to go through something like this, and that's what we're here for."

    When Yao might sign the contract -- worth $17.8 million over four years and including a fourth season at the team's option -- and join his new teammates remains uncertain. With the Chinese national team sequestered during the Asian Games as has been custom throughout the recent international competition, there are logistical issues just to get Yao the contract to sign, though Zhang said he believed Yao will receive the agreement before the Asian games end.

    Zhang said the CBA has been "very cooperative. Every indication is they will approve Yao Ming playing in the NBA."

    Visa issues also could affect when Yao arrives, though Zhang said, "We expect him to be in Houston before the season starts (Oct. 30).

    "We got it worked out to where we agreed on a contract," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said. "It's another step in the process. We're thrilled about it. We're looking forward to getting him to Houston."

    Though much of the process has been out of the Rockets' control, the preference is clear: The sooner the better.

    "There's a lot of different ... procedures. There's a lot of different travel (issues)," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "All I know is I'm real excited one part of it is done.

    "When you're in this business, rarely is it exactly the way you want it. You look at our championship years ... it's not a smooth ride. I have to be able to roll with the punches and go out and have productive days. I started years with Hakeem Olajuwon on the injured list or hurt. I learned that quick. This (Yao missing training camp) is just a small thing like that. We're having productive days.

    "I think he fits in with the plays we're working."
     
    #1 ron413, Oct 10, 2002
  2. Rockets2K

    Rockets2K Clutch Crew

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    ron gets it hot off the presses again..good job


    Check out what Stevie was sayin? Sounds like Yao gonna have some help honey-huntin! ;)
    Sounds like SF is working on that leadership thing huh?
     
    #2 Rockets2K, Oct 10, 2002
  3. coke

    coke Member

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    great news!!!!!!
     
    #3 coke, Oct 10, 2002
  4. FranchiseBlade

    FranchiseBlade Member
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    Does Steve Francis think he's fooling me? He's just acting all nice to Yao because he's a spotlight hog, and only cares about making highlight films, and not about being a leader. He just knows that Ming might get his hands on the ball some time so if he's nice to Yao, then he'll get the ball back, and that means more magazine covers, and ESPN clips.

    I don't care that he's improved his game, taken care of his medical ailments, had surgery, got 10 assists in the first preseason game, worked decently with the improved team defense, signed the full six year contract extension, is offering to help Ming adjust. It's all a ploy for him to show off more at the cost of the Rockets winning. What a selfish b*stard. :D
     
    #4 FranchiseBlade, Oct 10, 2002
  5. DoitDickau

    DoitDickau Member

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    #5 DoitDickau, Oct 10, 2002
  6. The Real Shady

    The Real Shady Member

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    :D
     
    #6 The Real Shady, Oct 10, 2002
  7. Roc Paint

    Roc Paint Member

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    What in the hell are you talkink about? :D
     
    #7 Roc Paint, Oct 10, 2002
  8. smoothie

    smoothie Jabari Jungle

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    lets hope steve keeps this ploy up then. i could get used to him averaging 30pts and 10 assists.
     
    #8 smoothie, Oct 10, 2002
  9. ClockworkOrange

    ClockworkOrange Member

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    I'm waiting for someone to chime in and bash Steve some more. :D

    I think I can get used to him averaging 30 and 10 as well. Can I get a job helping new NBA players get used to the money?!? :D
     
    #9 ClockworkOrange, Oct 10, 2002
  10. heypartner

    heypartner Member

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    ClockworkOrange,

    How 'bout this.

    I canNOT believe Steve. All he wants to do is be a celebrity and hang out with Yao off the court, since he has so much money now. Being a team player is not giving teammates assists on spending their money and meeting women, but passing the ball.

    Steve, Yao is not a parentless bball player like you. He doesn't need to be taught about the trappings of fame and how to grow up. He just need to mature on the court, and I'd rather have you talk about how you'll help out with that, rather than pretending to be some celebrity mentor for him, like you needed after your childish display in Vancouver.

    <font size="1">This was a M.A.S.H. Public Service Announcement in how to recognize a Stevie hata post when you see one.</font>
     
    #10 heypartner, Oct 10, 2002
  11. A-Train

    A-Train Member

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    OMG, HP is a closet M*A*S*H member? I was wondering who tossed that big wad of money in the collection box at the last M*A*S*H charity event! :)
     
    #11 A-Train, Oct 10, 2002
  12. HoRockets

    HoRockets Member

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    The thought of Steve and Cat teaching Yao how to put down a big fat Tex-Mex fully loaded burrito is kinda funny. :D
     
    #12 HoRockets, Oct 10, 2002
  13. Rockets2K

    Rockets2K Clutch Crew

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    Clockwork Orange,
    Since heypartner likes to be obtuse while making points, let me translate for you.

    FranchiseBlades post were probably meant in jest..note the big grin:D

    I havent seen any Steve bashing going on in this thread(yet)..
    If you already knew this....carry on
     
    #13 Rockets2K, Oct 10, 2002
  14. FranchiseBlade

    FranchiseBlade Member
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    Just for the record I hope everyone knew I was joking on my post above. I'm a huge supporter of Steve, and think he has taken great steps to be a leader, and make the team as a whole better.
     
    #14 FranchiseBlade, Oct 10, 2002
  15. FranchiseBlade

    FranchiseBlade Member
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    God forbid the guy made a mistake in the past three and half years. That was a truly awful scene, I agree. But since then the guy has gone out of his way to avoid that kind of a thing again.

    If, like, many people believe Steve was originally upset by the selection of Yao Ming, he handled it like a true pro. He didn't throw any public tantrums. He kept any kind of negative feelings out of the press, and made no public statements which could have rocked the boat.

    Then the more informed he became about Yao Ming, the more excited, he got, and the more public vocal endorsements he gave.

    That along with his complete willingness to cooperate with the league at their All-Star events, and other steps Steve has taken would seem to show that he has matured, and is doing pretty well.
     
    #15 FranchiseBlade, Oct 10, 2002
  16. ROXTXIA

    ROXTXIA Member

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    I hope Yao doesn't steal Steve's thunder off the court, too!

    Yao and some of the Rockets hit the clubs, round about, say, January:

    Yao: Ladies, ladies, there's more than enough Yao to go around. Looks like ya'll are hungry for some Chinese food, hunh?

    (honeys laugh)

    Yao: Look over here, if ya'll like Asian food, how about some Rice?

    Glen: (smiling) No way, man, I'm married. In fact, I gotta go home, you guys are gonna get me in trouble. (Glen leaves)

    Yao: Sorry, ladies, we're out of Rice. So how 'bout some soul food instead? (points at Steve, Cat, and Mooch) Work'em like a plate of ribs, ladies!

    (honeys laugh)

    Cat: Hey, Yao, you're all right.

    Yao: Do I hook my brothas up or what?

    Cat: (to Steve and Boki) And everyone was worried Yao would need time to fit in.

    Boki: Maybe you should have let me teach him English. "Ya'll?" "Hook my brothas up?"

    Mooch: No, we can't let him speak that White Geek English, he'd sound all jacked up.

    Steve: (shaking his head in disbelief) Man, Yao gets more a$$ than the Compaq Center.

    Mooch: Steve, a monk gets more a$$ than Compaq.

    Steve: You know what I mean. Yao ain't never gonna wanna go home.
     
    #16 ROXTXIA, Oct 10, 2002
  17. Rashmon

    Rashmon Member

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    You have to love the sound of this:

     
    #17 Rashmon, Oct 10, 2002
  18. Relativist

    Relativist Member

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    The WUVFEST returns! :D
     
    #18 Relativist, Oct 10, 2002
  19. SmeggySmeg

    SmeggySmeg Member

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    nah he's just venting and hiding it behind MASH ;)
     
    #19 SmeggySmeg, Oct 10, 2002
  20. Oski2005

    Oski2005 Member

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    Thanks for the secret donation HP, wish I know what we did with it. That parentless thing is a little on the edge, just think about it if you know what I mean?
     
    #20 Oski2005, Oct 11, 2002
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