FOX: CBA WORRIED ABOUT YAO DEFECTING According to Fox 26's Mark Berman in Houston, the CBA in China has not cleared because the CBA commissioner is "deeply worried" about Yao defecting. Yao met with him yesterday and assured him that is not the case but the commissioner is deeply troubled about the situation with Wang Zhi Zhi. Sources say the Sharks have officially signed off on their deal and have asked the CBA to do so as well. Rockets have not said what they will do if he is not cleared by the CBA. Yao's agent, John Huizinga said, "We know we are down to last few hours before the draft but I believe we are farther ahead now than any other time in the past.
Fox 26 update There was an update on Fox 26 and things don't look good for the Rockets. It was reported that the CBA is afraid of letting Ming go because of the developments with Wang. This is getting crazy. Trade the pick while we have the chance.
Well this is a surprise but I still think the Rockets will take Ming regardless. This soap opera is getting hilarious though. Every day there's a new twist in the rumour mill.
I GOT THE ANSWER!! Draft Ming, and let china debate until their blue in the face and then when Ming arrives on US Soil (world games), he can pull the classic Cuba baseball trick. I know this will never happen, but **** I would do it if I was Ming. He does not want to be like that 7'8 Korean guy, that supposely had more game then Ming, and never got his day in the NBA. Question? Wont China loose face if the Rockets pass on Ming in the draft, and he slips? Were they not paranoid that he would not be taken #1. They would only keep face if the Rockets picked him #1 and then traded him to a city they like.
We've already pussed out and given ground to the CBA by letting them drag this out so long, so it's expected that they would pull this crap. Screw it, I propose we ask for the #3 from Golden State and an unprotected first round pick from them next year.
Is this a confirmed myth? Where is a rolley eyes when I need one. lol This waiting is gut wrenching...
well i HOPE that the rockets will pick ming irregardless of what the CBA does. if they hold him back, they'll look like the shrewd-minded people they are and i imagine that the NBA teams will not look in China for players in the future. and if the Rockets don't pick Ming, that's another low blow to China. they want their man to go #1, so this would make them lose face as well. and it's hard for me to believe that they're afraid that ming will defect after i have read articles on how loyal he is to his country. seriously, wang was just playin summer ball in LA. IMO, the CBA wants to squeeze out every penny from the Rockets.
"Rumor of the day: There's a lot of paperwork trouble in China," said Duke guard Jay Williams, who might just end up being the No. 1 overall pick. http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/basketball/nba/charlotte_hornets/3538538.htm
The CBA commissioner should just let Yao go! Can't he see that Yao and the rest of China wants him to play NBA? Yao would be surrounded by armies of media personal tomorrow for the direct satellite coverage, and it would be totally embarrassing if teams start passing him and his stock dropping... embarrassing for China and especially for Yao, who has done nothing wrong and does not deserve this kind of treatment. I say the Rockets should still draft Yao Ming, because the CBA commissioner would be put into so much pressure from inside China that he will have to let him go before the Friday dead line anyway. -G'day-
China does not care ENOUGH between Yao going #1 or going #7. They are in the driving seat. Now if Houston takes him #1 regardly, Rockets will back in the driving seat again. This is good drama.
Hey China has nothing to worry out... Wang to "work on game" in U.S. before returning home Wang Zhizhi wanted "to improve his rebounding skills" after averaging just two per game last season. AP FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Speculation that Wang Zhizhi might defect to the United States is just that -- speculation, said the Dallas Mavericks backup center, who did not return China after the NBA season ended. Wang says he's been in Los Angeles "practicing" so that when he does return to the Chinese American Basketball Association, he will "be a greater asset to his team". "I'm not defecting, and I don't plan to defect," Wang told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in Monday's editions. "My main goal is to get better so I can help China to achieve the highest standing in the World Championships." "I really stayed here because I want to work on rebounding and defense, so I can really make an impact next season." Calls by The Associated Press to Wang's agent were not returned. Earlier this month, Wang's whereabouts became a mystery after he missed two deadlines to return to China to prepare for the World Championship games in Indianapolis this summer. The CBA had written two letters ordering him to return so that he could practice with the Chinese national team. The Mavericks repeatedly tried to contact Wang when the season ended. The team had an agreement with the CBA that said Wang must return home once their season was over. In a telephone interview from Los Angeles, Wang told the newspaper that he ignored the demands because he simply wanted to stay in America and" improve his game "against better competition. "They wanted me to come back, but it was important for me to stay here to improve my basketball skills," Wang said through interpreter Simon Chan, who also works as his adviser. Wang said CBA officials were not upset with his decision to stay in America this summer. He said he did not see a need to contact the Mavericks about his whereabouts because he has "a whole bunch of coaches" taking him through two-a-day workouts in Los Angeles. "I plan on being in touch with Dallas real soon," Wang said. "I'm doing very well here, and what I'm working on now is what the coaches what me to work on, and that's rebounding and playing defense." Wang plans to join other members of the Chinese national team when they come to America in late August to prepare for the World Championships, which will be Aug. 29-Sept. 8 in Indianapolis. He also said he would be surprised if he doesn't receive a warm reception from his Chinese coaches and teammates. Wang said he knows when he eventually goes home, the CBA will permit him to come back and play in the NBA. "I still have some things I need to discuss with the CBA, but most likely I'll return to China before the NBA season starts." Last week, the Mavericks made a qualifying offer of $737,000 to Wang, who is a restricted free agent. Under NBA rules, that means the Mavericks have 15 days to match any offer Wang receives up to the midlevel exception of $4.5 million. A 1999 second-round draft pick by the Mavericks, Wang hopes to re-sign with Dallas. "It really depends on the situation with the other teams, and on the money," he said. "Talk to Mavs owner Mark Cuban."
I hate hype that isn't backed up with any meaty substance. I saw the story and laughed when I saw heard this so-called "exclusive" report. Hasn't the defection factor been one of the most known worries of the folks in China? The secret source?? Hmmmm, lemme guess? John Huizinga? Eric Zhang?? That certainly didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out. Of course they won't go on the record for fear of pissing the govt off even more. Regardless, I wonder what's going through the minds of the Rockets brass. I'll say one thing, tomorrow will be interesting.
True Old School. I don't care if we trade the pick or draft a player we already have; these past few weeks have been very special. lol.
I don't think that is entirely true. NO ONE has mentioned anything about the commissioner, specifically. In fact, there was a report that Wang's situation didn't effect Yao's. Now, we know that is different. Funny thing is, the guy is right to worry. I mean, I'd probably defect under those conditions. Plus, this guy is STUCK. If he holds Yao back, he will come under serious fire from people in China and will likely make players like Wang decide to stay and others decide to leave. If he let's Yao go, there is a fairly significant risk he will defect and he'll have to answer to his superiors. I'm just picturing this guy sitting in his office with the release form on his desk twirling a pencil or something listening to show tunes from the 40's thinking, "He loves us. He loves us not." But seriously, if I were the GM of the Rockets, I'd simply tell them that, if the release isn't signed by 2pm Houston time tomorrow, we will simply not take Yao #1 and, given his shaky status, he could slide quite a bit in the draft. That would look bad for them too. I just think the Rockets have to fish or cut bait here.
Yao going number one is in their national interests. It is also in their national interest to balance his availability to represent China with his ability to represent China well. If he is to be the player we all hope he can be, he's going to have to practice against American competition in the offseason to get better. That's what Wang's doing. I take Yao and Wang at their word that they are loyal patriots who just want to play with and against the best players in the world and also represent their native country. The CBA is treating the Rockets disrespectfully right now as well as risking Ming not going #1 and neither of those moves are in their national interests.
