Nothing really new here, but here's Friday's Chronicle story: June 14, 2002, 1:04AM Delegation hopeful on return By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle There were no surprises, no hurdles, nothing that seemed troubling or awkward after traveling halfway around the globe to home. The Rockets' delegation returned from China with all the assurances they sought about drafting Yao Ming. After meetings in Shanghai and Beijing with Chinese basketball officials and Yao, they were as determined as ever to make him the first player taken in the NBA draft. "We would like this thing to work out," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "We would like to take Yao Ming." But despite all the successes in their trip, Tomjanovich could not quite say the Rockets would take Yao, only that they hope to. Michael Goldberg, the Rockets' lead negotiator with Chinese officials, still has more work to do before the June 26 draft. More than that, the Chinese officials and Yao's representatives must complete the steps necessary for Yao to receive the letter of clearance he will need from the International Basketball Federation. "They have to talk to other agencies and government situations," Tomjanovich said. "Us talking to people there can't get it done. But every meeting, every encounter with the Shanghai Sharks, the China Basketball Association and the coach of the national team, every one of those exchanges was very positive." Along the way, the Rockets' delegation of Tomjanovich, Goldberg, general manager Carroll Dawson and media relations director Nelson Luis met with Yao's parents. They were told Yao had followed the Rockets' championship runs, particularly the play of Hakeem Olajuwon, and discovered Tomjanovich had become well-known in China for coaching those teams and the Olympic team. Watching Yao practice did not reveal any news. "I've been watching a lot of tape," Tomjanovich said. "It didn't change the way I feel. I felt very good about him." But Tomjanovich said getting to visit with the 7-5 center for the first time, particularly after Yao's cousin Erick Zhang was called away and unavailable to translate, was the final, encouraging surprise. "That was great," said Tomjanovich, who eventually was out on the court to almost demonstrate his points. "We had been hearing a lot of things. We started with Erick between us. But the more (Yao) and I talked, the more and more comfortable we felt. And everything I heard from his coaches is that he has a real understanding of basketball. A lot of times they will talk to him, and he will relay things to his teammates. We will not have any difficulties communicating." http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1454028
Rudy T being there had to impress ming. and that just shows the drive that Tomjanovich has to be a winner again. And to think people wanted this guy canned. Message to Rudy bashers: you are wasting your breath (or fingers) This guy is in for the long haul (as he should be). Lets give Rudy's front court guys (Ming, Griffin) the necessary time to develop (3-4 more seasons) then you can make a more reasonable assessment of Rudy T's performance.
Berman makes everybody look bad. He's the only sports journalist (yes, he's a journalist doing TV, just look at how hard he works to get a scoop) in Houston that I pay serious attention to.
