I know China wants Ming to be #1 overall, but what if he can be taken at #15? The Rockets are the only team (that we know of) that has dealt with China and that The Sharks, etc.... So if the Rockets pass on Ming at #1, will another team have the ball to pick him? Maybe nobody will pick him because they don't have the relationship already started by the Rockets. Then the Rockets can pick him up at #15 (his jersey number). Hey he would still be a first round pick and in the NBA. Okay okay....crush me........it was just a question. I'm just starting to get the feeling (in the midnight hour) that this all might not be worth it. I mean probably no training camp to learn the system, no off-season to get better at the system. He would ALWAYS be a work in progress. Maybe cold feet...who knows.
The Chinese wouldn't mind if Chicago or New York drafts him, they have stated this all along. Since those two cities offers big explosure, and larger Chinese communities. It was only the Sharks who wants Yao to be drafted as No.1, and since he has already been cleared by the Sharks, any team who drafts him would not need to go through that procedure again. Chicago and NY has a lot of contacts with the Sharks... NY will draft Yao before you can blink your eyes if he is still available at No.7 Imagine Yao in NY? The media would go Yao-franzy! -G'day-
It's probably a moot point. I don't see Yao still being around at #15 regardless. There are plenty of teams who would be more than happy to risk a lottery pick on this guy, with or without a FIBA release, even it means trading into the pick.
Big question....are the Rockets one of them???? I would just hate to have a chance of a lifetime to have #1, and lose another Michael Jordan. I don't want another Sam Bowie!!! Olajuwon.....I'll take again!!!!
