http://sports.espn.go.com/nbadraft/story?id=1388605 <i>Brown: Shanghai mayor will support Yao to NBA Associated Press ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HOUSTON -- Houston Mayor Lee Brown said his counterpart from Shanghai, China, will recommend that 7-foot-5 center Yao Ming play in the NBA. ''He's always suggested to the family that Yao Ming should stay in Shanghai until the Shanghai basketball team won a championship,'' Brown told Houston television station KRIV on Wednesday from Hangzhou, China. ''He indicated that that has been accomplished and that he always felt that Yao Ming should go to the NBA.'' Brown said Shangai Mayor Chen Liangyu indicated he would advise the family that it probably would be good for Yao to go to the NBA. The Rockets won the NBA lottery and will make the first pick in the draft to be held June 26. The Rockets, who need rebounding help, could make Yao the top pick if they can reach agreement with the Chinese government on his availability. ''My job, as I saw it, was to tell them about the Rockets organization and about Houston and that he would be welcomed in Houston and certainly he would be taken care of by both the NBA, the Rockets as well as the residents of Houston,'' Brown said. Brown also met with Xin Lancheng, the secretary general of the Chinese Basketball Association, and Jia Qinglin, party chairman of the Beijing Ministry of Government. ''Their major concern is that Yao Ming would be available at the appropriate time to play on the China basketball team,'' Brown said, referring to the national team. ''Here in China they play in world competition. They want to see their star player with them.'' Yao hasn't been to Houston to work out with the Rockets, but general manager Carroll Dawson met last week with some of the player's representatives. Dawson is trying to keep preparations for the draft normal for the Rockets, who have worked out a number of other players. Team representatives saw Yao work out in Chicago earlier this month. ''Yao is not an unknown to us,'' Dawson said last week. ''We've seen him a lot and have a lot of information. We've seen him four times this year. Our scouts have seen him and Rudy saw him at the 2000 Olympics.'' Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich led the U.S. team to a gold medal in Sydney two years ago. </i>
Sorry, Jeff. That was not meant as a slam on you. I still don't think Ming is our pick. All indicators point otherwise. This goes back to Doc's and my conversation.
I agree. Not that I have inside info. But that article said nothing about the Rockets drafting Yao Ming. Double-talk and misdirection.
I agree with Rocket!!!. I think it's entirely too conspicuous that all our big scoopers have been noticeably quiet since Doc's way too forthright "let's talk right down to earth, in a language that everybody here can easily understand" post. I think there is a ClutchCity strategy going down from on high at Greenway, and I love it. all hail the greatness of this site.
Jeff, I don't think there is a conspiracy. I just don't believe Ming will be on the Rocket's roster. Hint, hint, nudge, nudge, wink, wink, know what I mean?
There's always a conspiracy!! Didn't you know that? I love it...Monty Python references!! 28 days till D-Day....
Although I wonder if all of this work on the Rockets' behalf means we have to draft and trade Yao Ming? Obviously the Chinese want their boy to go #1 in the draft, but will that net us what we want in trade? Jay Williams is the player most coveted.
I really don't see the point in having the mayor go down to China and talk how much Houston would love to have Ming, and how great Houston will treat Ming, and what a great organization the Rockets are only so they can trade Ming. For political reasons I don't see the mayor agreeing to doing this since it probably isn't going to help trade negotiations with China. I mean the Chinese are all set on Ming playing Houston, and then on the night of the draft Houston decides to trade Ming. That's most likely going to piss the Chinese government off. What team is going to give up good value knowing the Chinese government is not going to be pleased with Ming being traded, especially after Houston kept stringing China along making them believe Ming is their man. I can tell already this is going to be another Rashard Lewis situation. The Rockets are going to keep stringing Ming along, making him believe the Rockets will draft him, only to trade him at the last minute to a city like Denver. Then he's going to be pissed, and dedicate his career to proving what a huge mistake the Rockets made just like Rashard did.
Ohh, this Ming thing gives me a bigger headache than the CBA and crazy trade talks. I hate that politics have invaded the NBA and question Ming's dedication to the Rockets long-term success.
This sucks! Why did we have to get the first pick? Just kidding It just seems like some of you are getting stressed out. Look on the brite side, we should have a much improved team next year no matter what....rite?
