From Fox 26 News... Well, I think this is the latest substantial piece. Berman interviewed Goldberg from Tokyo (this guy is incredibly well traveled...China a week ago, South Korea a couple days ago, now Tokyo?). Goldberg said everything is progressing well. However, he said the Rockets must have the FIBA release, (from my understanding, basically international clearance) "at least a couple days" before the draft, if China wants guarantees as far as drafting Ming. Berman asked if he meant as far as not trading Ming, and Goldberg confirmed that. Goldberg said the talks are going fine, and they should have the FIBA release in "plenty of time". What does this mean? This would seem to refute that Insider report that the Rockets would wait a couple years for Ming to be released. If they get the FIBA release, which I believe the people in charge of that have said will happen, Ming will be a Rocket. Goldberg didn't think it would be a problem at all. The only thing that I don't get was "plenty of time"...umm, Mr. Goldberg we're a week I think with all his travelling, he traveled backwards in time a couple weeks. Berman also mentioned that talks about Yao's compensation package for Shanghai/CBA (the one not associated with the Rockets) are going well.
Fox 26: New Report on Yao and the Rockets Rockets' attorney Michael Goldberg was interviewed from Tokyo (on un-related business) and said that the Rockets can't wait until the last minute to get clearance from the FIBA. They must know at least a few days prior to the draft to make decisions about the pick. Berman said, "You mean regarding trades?" Goldberg replied, "Yes." Goldberg does not consider the Rockets in any bind now. He expects they will have the release in plenty of time. He said that negotiations are reportedly going well between Yao and the Sharks.
ROCKET!!! I'm getting more interested in what you have to say. So, don't tell us what the trade is, but do tell us...."Does it make you happy?" You know most of the Rocket fans here, would there be a general concensus of joy, or would we feel like we got ripped off?
There was no sense of urgency. The FIBA letter seems to me like a formality rather than an area of negotiation. Nothing to make me think the Rockets want to trade the pick. If we get closer to draft day, and still don't have that letter, it could come into play though, but Goldberg didn't think that would happen. In fact, I think the FIBA letter may be the last step in fully clearing Yao's path to the NBA, and therefore based on what RT/CD have said, the Rockets.
NIKEstrand, now that you posted your entire tread, I follow what your saying. Definate sense on the Rockets side. China wants Ming to go Number 1, for the country pride. Hence, you give us the assurances now, or Duke's Jay Williams goes number one to whomever the Rockets trade it to!! And the "Rocket!!!" says there are some good trades out there. Bill the Rocket guy said on one of his posts that there are currently 15 teams with trade offers for the Rockets. Sure I know and realize that 99% of the avid posters don't like Bill; but he does have his sources at his site. And we all know that there are trades on the table. But, you know what; I don't care if they trade the pick or keep it! I was happy getting Griffin last year. If not for the injuries last year this team could have been a playoff team. We all saw them get off to a super fast start without Taylor. Then Steve went down, then Mobley went down, then Steve got the migraines; the team was together near the end, but the plays were off sync. The chemistry went down the toilet. If that horrible season nets us one solid starter this season, I'm happy. We add that solid starter to Mobley, Francis, and Griffin. Thats a good THING. NUFF SAID.
No doubt this is to put extra pressure on China. If the FIBA clearance doesn't come by, say, Friday, then we can start to sweat it out. I have to believe the deadline for the Rocks will be Monday at the latest. Really pushing it for sure.
Fiba is just a formality. The only timefiba really uses its powers are when those players get locked up in those crazy contracts and they act as mediators to settle the disput. The fiba letter takes hardly no time with the invention of the fax machine.
Rule in negotiation is, "He who hold the chips dictates" And who has the Number one pick? Those Rocket dictators. Ming is coming to the NBA either way you put it. But, the Rockets could trade him to Minnesota or Memphis, the lesser market in the NBA. China cannot dictate here!! China needs the big media market ala Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Golden State. But Houston is better than a lot of the Rest. Pick you evil China, Houston or Denver? After all Houston is the gateway to the world!!! Everyone know that one!!!!!
It only pushed Ming and people who really want to help ming to join NBA. Someone else will be happy. By the way, it is not wise to say Rockets' part is done before any deal is made. Of course Rockets may come up with new thoughts.
This is certainly turning into an interesting scenario, full of international intrigue, cloaked mystery, political, cultural, and social ramification all around. You bet China wants this as much or more so than the Rockets. If MIng isn't he number one pick, China misses it's best opportunity at an international superstar on a level of MIchael Jordan in their eyes. They could go from first to last in mear seconds. Nothing has ever traveled as fast as they will bottom out if they blow this. It could wind up as a scandal. It would give "Houston, we have a problem" new meaning. God, I love this. Basketball, the draft, a good script, and the Rockets front and center. Does it get any better? No way, brother Clay. Carry on.
Someone explain something to me- I'm getting conflicting messages from the report here, unless I'm misunderstanding. So, Goldberg is saying that everything must be cleared at least a couple of days before the draft so that they will have time to consider trades? How on earth does that motivate anybody on the China side to get things going? Or do I have it wrong- does he mean that if the final clearance isn't done a couple of days before the draft, they will be forced to consider a trade (something China does not want.)?
China wants Ming to be number one because of national pride like someone else pointed out earlier in this thread. The government also has millions to lose if they screw around with us. If we trade our pick to the Clippers (which very well might be the backup plan) they would draft Jason Williams and then God knows what else would happen. So its in Chinas best interest also to get this thing resloved a couple of days before the draft.
Seems like the later is the correct analysis. The Rockets would be in a vulnerable position if they drafted Ming without the FIBA paperwork in order. With several parties involved on the Chinese side, there needs to be some push from the Rockets to get things concluded. If some party on that side of the deal has cold feet about Yao coming to the NBA, better to find out now rather than later. Jeff's projection of Monday (Houston) as a deadline seems fair. Considering that the Sharks gave initial approval in late April and the special Chicago workout was shortly afterward, there has been sufficient time for the necessary approvals and signoffs to happen by this upcoming Monday. Mango
