http://www.nba.com/rockets/ Rockets Attorney Address The Media June 21 - Rockets general counsel Michael Goldberg issued the following statement today: "The NBA (National Basketball Association) has been in contact with the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association) trying to see if Yao Ming could be available in New York for the draft. Commissioner Xin has been talking to them and wanted to make sure everyone knew what was going on. He issued a release saying that because of conflicts with the Chinese National team - they have a game scheduled - that he wasn’t going to be able to go to New York for the draft. The fact that he’s not going to be there in New York doesn’t affect his draft status at all. I fully expect him to be made available for the draft.”
And check this out too: http://sports.espn.go.com/nbadraft/story?id=1397544 Draft absence won't hurt Yao's NBA status By Andy Katz ESPN.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Getting Yao Ming to come to America -- for the NBA Draft on Wednesday in New York City -- was always a reach. The Houston Rockets knew it. The NBA knew it. And the Chinese Basketball Association knew it. Yao had national team commitments, especially in light of the World Championships this summer in Indianapolis. But in a translated release from the Chinese Basketball Association obtained by ESPN.com Friday, the CBA puts to rest any concerns that Yao won't be playing in the NBA or that he won't the Rockets' No. 1 pick, even though he won't be at the draft. The release said, "Whether Yao is present at the NBA Draft or not, it will not affect his future in the NBA.'' An official with the Rockets told ESPN.com Friday morning they weren't worried about the news that he would miss Wednesday's draft. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the Rockets knew this could occur and didn't expect it to affect Yao playing for the Rockets. With the potential of the draft being televised in China, the NBA wanted Yao at the event because of the added exposure. The translated release continued positively for the Rockets saying, "Also recently, the Mayor of Houston, the Rockets' general manager, head coach and general counsel and the Shanghai Sharks have been in contact and in discussions with the CBA on the issue of Yao's trip to the NBA and the meetings were positive and effective. "The CBA views the issue of having Chinese players play in the U.S. in a positive and cautious manner. The CBA is also working hard to protect the interest of the country and its players. Yao's trip to the NBA is progressing in a normal manner in accordance with regulations.'' A statement from the Rockets is expected later Friday morning. Yao would become the first professional foreign player to be picked No. 1 in the NBA Draft. More From Release Here is more from the translated CBA release: We recently received an invitation from the NBA for Yao Ming to join the NBA Draft on June 27 (June 26 in the United States). As Yao is now in training for the upcoming games against Italy, Australia and Yugoslavia, which are scheduled at the end of this month, and also in training for the World Championships in August and Asian Games in October, this is a very critical moment in his training. After discussions with the China national team, we have decided that Yao will not go to the US for the NBA Draft. We have already expressed our apology to the NBA and hope that they would understand our situation. Whether Yao is present at the NBA draft or not, it will not affect his future in the NBA.
The Yao?? What is that?! I wonder what the Rudy, the CD the Goldberg are planning in case the Yao isn't cleared for the draft.
