http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1597848 Sept. 30, 2002, 11:43PM Rockets summary Yao update The Rockets received another encouraging letter from China Basketball Association commissioner Xin Langchen on Monday, bringing the team closer to receiving the release it will need to sign first-round pick Yao Ming, Rockets attorney Michael Goldberg said. The CBA and Rockets have been rewriting agreements to add legal terminology in binding contracts. Goldberg said much of the latest letter will work legally, but some parts of it will still need to be modified to work within the NBA's collective bargaining agreement. "We're closer," Goldberg said. "We're working to get it done, and so are they. There really are no problems." Yao is playing for the Chinese national team in the Asian games in Korea until Oct. 14. Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said there is not an agreement with Yao's representatives on Yao's contract. Finding his place Yao Ming ... superstar on offense? It could happen, according to Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich. Tomjanovich compared Yao to former Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon on Monday, saying that when Olajuwon first came into the league, he was far from being the offensive threat that helped him earn the nickname "The Dream." "We knew we were getting a good player (in Hakeem), that he was going to be a great rebounder, a shot blocker and a defender," Tomjanovich said. "But he could do some things offensively that we never knew. I mean, those Dream shakes, this and that -- you can go back and get the books. I broke down all the tapes, and it wasn't there. No one thought Hakeem was going to become the offensive player that he did." Where's the deal? Forward Kenny Thomas chose his words carefully but was clearly disappointed he has not reached agreement with the Rockets on a contract extension. Thomas is entering the fourth season of his rookie contract, but the Rockets have until the end of the month to sign him to an extension. They would have the right to match any offer Thomas receives as a free agent next summer. "What do you think? Sure I would (like to get the extension)," Thomas said. "I thought I had a great year last year. I was still going out there busting my butt night in, night out up to the last game when we played Portland." Roster moves The Rockets signed three more players for training camp, adding 6-11 center Sonny Watson, 6-7 forward Juaquin Hawkins and 6-10 center Brandon Kurtz. Watson, who worked with former NBA player Kermit Washington in China last season, has been slowed by a sprained right ankle. With Yao Ming to miss all of the training camp in Austin, Kurtz, who has played in Turkey, the USBL and at Tulsa, was added to provide depth at center. Hawkins played in the ABA. --JONATHAN FEIGEN
I can't believe Les just said that there is no agreement with Yao's reps. I mean, they said in July that it was a done deal with them. So, why does Goldberg keep saying there are no problems. How many times will he say that "it is done" followed by "this is workable; we're almost there." Sounds to me like it was a done deal with the Sharks in July to get paid the maximum allowable bonus 25% of Yao's pay, but they didn't get that cleared with Yao's representatives, since it directly steals from his take home pay. If Kenny has an incredible pre-season like last year, he might get that extension. Otherwise, the extension makes him practically impossible to trade due to becoming a Base-Year Compensation player the day he signs the extension.
1.) I think they are waiting to see how Kenny adapts in camp to the 3 position. He becomes much more valuable if that becomes his best position. 2.) I would want to see how Rice and Nachbar pan out in camp and how their play is against KT before signing KT. The first two reasons determine whether he is a team mate or trade material for someone who fits better, say a 2-3 swing player. 3.) There are a lot of contracts on this team that also need to be figured out before the season starts (Yao, Torres, Tierre, Mickeal). These effect the amount of money the Rocks might be willing to throw his way. 4.) This sounds bad, but it is a business, with the way injuries happen, why sign him until you have to? I really would like to see him stick at 3. That makes our front line incredibly diverse and deep. If not, bring on Mo Pete!
KT is getting a raw deal. He is the Rockets most tradeable commodity, and he knows it. I think the Rockets are going to see how he adjusts to playing the 3 and 4 before making a decision on him. They may trade him later in the year if he does not fit in... DaDakota
Kenny has built a reputation with the Rockets with his work ethic, tenacity, and ability to adjust to their schemes. I don't want to see him moved, and i believe that he will be able to adjust to the 3 spot and match up against many of the league 3's and certainly the backup 3's. Let's keep KT
Another point in KT being able to hang is a lot of teams do have two tall almost 3-4 forwards in the same lineup. Minnesota, Dallas, Sacramento come to mind. KT is going to give us an added dimension and he plays good D.
I just have to say we have this problem instead of having players who suck on our team. Im glad we have to many good players. Thats always a good problem to have!
Probably because Rice takes up a lot of cap room, and if we release him, thats money for nothing. Also, if Rice can ever find it, he has a good shot. He PROBABLY will be a better fit than Kenny at the 3, but I don't know what they have planned. BTW, I THINK Rice's contract is down to 2 years. After this season, we may be able to trade him to team who want cap room in a short amount of years. JMO.
I saw that interview with Kenny and he looked quite uncomfortable and pissed. Maurice Taylor made a much better impression on me in his interview.
I got the same impression from Kenny's interview. His responses were definitely more negative than the other players', but then again I can see how he is probably frustrated at being really the only guy in the rotation without a long term contract. I just hope he continues to play hard and keeps playing team ball - the last thing we need is if he tries padding his stats and it disrupts the chemistry.
He did mention they needed to play as a team at the end. I agree he looks more unappreciated and frustrated than anything else. All the attention is going to Yao, MT, Griff, Rice, Boki and the others right now and he played real hard last year and did well... I hope he just continues to play hard and wins some time. It will only make everyone better.
