Chron: 7 Games in 1st round, Rockets to play exhibition games...

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1771069


Feb. 8, 2003, 9:17PM


All-Star Game summary
Closer to China

The Rockets took another step closer to China on Saturday when NBA commissioner David Stern said the league is close to deals for games in China and other international sites. The Rockets agreed to play in China during their negotiations with the China Basketball Association to gain the release of Yao Ming.

"We are getting close to finalizing and ultimately announcing that we will, in fact, play exhibition games in France, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Peoples' Republic of China," Stern said.

Playoff change

The NBA reached agreement with the NBA Players Association on Saturday that will allow it to expand the first round of the playoffs, beginning this season, to a best-of-seven format. Also, commissioner David Stern said the league had set its sights on the big agreement -- scheduling meetings with the Players Association for this spring to extend the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

"We've agreed that we're going to take a bunch of owners and players away at the end of the season some place, away from the glare of the media and try very hard ... to extend our Collective Bargaining Agreement with a commitment by both sides. This is something that's important for us to try very hard to do at this time in our league, in our country, in our economy," Stern said. The agreements on Saturday were a step in that direction.

The NBA has wanted to expand the first round of the playoffs since reaching the deal on its new television contracts last year. That required players association approval. To get that on Saturday, the league agreed to shorten training camp for veterans by three days next season and by five days for the 2004-05.

Draft change

The league also agreed to consider international players eligible for the draft if they turn 18 during the year of the draft, rather than by the time of the draft. The change, known already at the "Darko Provision," will have an immediate ramification by making Yugoslavian center Darko Milicic eligible for the draft this season. Milicic is expected to be one of the top players selected. Eligibility rules for American players will not be changed. Milicic, a 17-year-old 7-footer, has been projected as the possible No. 2 pick in next June's draft after LeBron James. Milicic turns 18 in June.

Bring it on

Asked about a blossoming rivalry with the Rockets' Yao Ming, Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal said he was all for it. "It would be good for the game," O'Neal said. "I'm a connoisseur of the game. I challenge all newcomers. I killed them all before. I'm looking forward to doing the same."

Sharing the stage

Coinciding with the NBA All-Star Weekend in Atlanta is an annual convention of pimps, which has taken up several hundred rooms at some downtown hotels. When Kobe Bryant was asked what he thought of sharing space with such a group, he looked around the room at his fellow All-Stars, flashed a smile and said: "Their timing is impeccable."

That little guy

Vince Carter, the 2000 Slam Dunk champion, was discussing the players currently in the NBA who possessed the greatest knack for hang-time. "Well, T-Mac (Tracy McGrady) probably won't own up to it, but he's got some serious hang in his game," Carter said. "There's Jason Richardson of Golden State. There's Richard Jefferson of New Jersey, who's another real hanger.

"Then there's even the little fella. What's his name? Oh, man, I can't think of his name. You know, that little fella. He just flies way up there in the air and stays up. You know who I'm talking about, don't you. ... Oh yeah, Steve Francis. The little fella's got it."

Respect welcome

The Rockets' Steve Francis said he noticed a change in respect the Rockets are receiving from other teams. The change came from an impressive source. "We were in the locker room," Francis said of himself and teammate Yao Ming. "The guys from the Lakers (Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant) were giving us props about how they thought we got better and how much they were chasing us ... So people are noticing."

Francis said the Rockets have noticed the Lakers' closing run in the standings, but that the chase was not unexpected. "As much as it's happening, we're the team they're chasing. They're on our butts," Francis said. "They've won three championship in a row. They have experience at it. You knew eventually, they would put something together to make a push. I'm not scared of them. But we know they're there."

-- From staff reports