Erick Zhang told Mark Berman that he expects the Chinese Basketball Association to release Yao Ming for the NBA draft within 24 hours. An announcement could come late Monday or early Tuesday Houston time.
Rocket River: The truth is: Shanghai sharks doesn't like Eric Zhang. They want to hire "their agent" for Ming and then try to make more money from Ming. Ming trusts this guy. Eric has attended all the negotiations with SHARKS and CBA.
Rockets await blessing of Chinese body on Yao By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle While their hopes to pick Yao Ming first overall moved to a final, crucial step, Rockets officials held their final workout Sunday with one of the players who could be taken with the 15th overall pick in Wednesday's NBA draft. Slovenian forward Bostjan Nachbar offered an impressive workout for Rockets coaches and scouts from the Raptors, Hawks and Jazz. But like the final step in Yao's negotiations, taking Nachbar could be out of the Rockets' hands. Several teams that have earlier picks are interested in him. The pursuit of Yao moved to Chinese agent Lu Hao, who late Sunday began talks with the China Basketball Association that are designed to gain the CBA approval needed for Yao to receive a letter of clearance to play in the NBA. The Shanghai Sharks reached an agreement in principle with Yao's representatives, Erick Zhang and John Huizinga, on Saturday and assured that they would offer their approval for Yao to play in the NBA. With a subsequent recommendation from the CBA, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) could send the letter of clearance that is considered a condition for the Rockets to choose Yao. "Hopefully we'll have some good news before the draft," Zhang said. "We'll get a very strong indication by the end of the day how it's going to turn out. We're expecting something today." The negotiations with the CBA are vital but are not considered as complicated as the talks with the Sharks because the compensation Yao must pay the CBA is more clearly defined. Though no Sharks representatives attended a news conference in Shanghai on Saturday when Zhang announced agreements had been reached, there was confirmation of the accord Sunday. "We have a basic agreement with Erick and with Yao Ming's family," said Yi Le of the Shanghai Television network. Yi attended the negotiations and works for Sharks owner Bai Li, who also operates the television network. "The club agrees Yao Ming can go to the NBA," Yi said. "With the time very short, we have no time to prepare the documents to sign the agreement. We believe each other. This is the basic thing. We can go through to CBA. The Rockets need the release. That's critical. (It) must be approved now by the CBA." Hongliang Lou of the Shanghai International Relations office said Sunday after talking to Bai that the agreement is about sharing a portion of the income Yao could earn beyond his Rockets salary. Hongliang was part of the meetings between Rockets and Sharks officials this month. "They have some sort of verbal agreement in principle about income off the court," Hongliang said. "Shanghai Sharks have never thought we should get a penny from his salary. "The Sharks' attitude is: We will let Yao Ming go. The club has never said that we won't let Yao Ming go. Our attitude is: Let Yao Ming go at the proper time to the proper team and under the proper conditions. "Once Yao Ming goes to the NBA ... we need help from that team to scout players for the Sharks to help find sponsors for the Sharks. That's what we always said. That's the agreement in principle. It's the right time to let him go. From our general manager to our coach the attitude is: Let him go." Nachbar, meanwhile, considered jumping to the NBA last season. But when he learned he would likely be taken in the second round, he withdrew to play for Italian team Benetton Treviso. The seasoning helped. "I think they saw what they wanted to see," Nachbar said of Sunday's workout. "The rule (of) the higher (in the draft) the better for me does not exist. I just want to get to a team that will need me. "My first season, I did not play so much. It was my first time to play in Italy. I had an excellent season this season, and that's why I'm here now. I got more experience. I played a lot. We won the Italian championship. I grew." At his Houston workout, Nachbar looked like a catch for a team using the 15th pick, and the Rockets need a small forward. But several teams could be trying to move up in the draft to grab the 21-year-old. Of even greater concern, the 6-9 Nachbar is scheduled to work out today for the Wizards alongside Qyntel Woods and Jared Jefferies. Washington has the 11th pick and is also looking for a small forward. University of Houston forward George Williams also worked out for the Rockets on Sunday. "I think it went pretty well," said Williams, who has also worked out
Mr. Mean should have roughed up Nachbar after the workout, so he couldn't make his next workout with the Wizards. He need not have hurt him really bad, just enough so he couldn't run for a few days. I hope we get Nachbar! I going to start thinking positive from here on out. Bethere Nachbar! Be there Nachbar!Be there Nachbar!Be there Nachbar!Be there Nachbar!Be there Nachbar!Be there Nachbar!
