Rockets dealt a setback in hopes of drafting Chinese star

This is what is called NEGOTIATING. The Chinese don't want to give assurances unless they receive some. They don't want to give their word they will not recall Ming if we don't agree not to trade him. I don't see what the problem is unless we really intend to trade him. Now if we tell them we will not trade him and they still wont assure us Ming is ours for the duration then there is reason to worry. This is a unique situation, there is going to be unusual circumstances. This is to be expected.

 

Pippendagimp is right:


Coach Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant could have been New Jersey Nets
By CHRIS SHERIDAN

June 04, 2002
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Imagine if Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson were with the New Jersey Nets instead of the Los Angeles Lakers. Sounds implausible, but both things nearly happened.

........The story of Bryant's involvement with the Nets is equally interesting and more intriguing.


"He was our pick. We had dinner with his parents the night before the draft and we told them he was our choice," recalled John Nash, who was New Jersey's general manager at the time.


The Nets had brought Bryant in for three workouts, and a year before that they had been hearing stories from the likes of Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace, Doug Overton and Tim Legler about a 16-year-old kid from Lower Merion H.S., who was lighting up every NBA player he was matched against in workouts at the Philadelphia Sporting Club.


The afternoon of the draft, Nash received two phone calls - one from Bryant and one from his agent, Arn Tellem.


"They said Kobe had had a tremendous change of heart," Nash said. "Kobe suggested he wouldn't play in New Jersey."


Within a couple of hours, Nash learned that the Hornets and Lakers had worked out a deal to sent Vlade Divac to Charlotte for the rights to Bryant. Lakers president Jerry West had already offered Divac to the Nets for the eighth pick, but New Jersey turned it down.


As Nash recalls, he, then-coach John Calipari and then-owner Joseph Taub discussed what to do. Nash wanted to call Bryant's bluff and take him anyway; Calipari wanted to take Kerry Kittles (agent David Falk was pleading with the club to select Kittles, just as Tellem was begging them not to draft Bryant), while Taub wanted to take John Wallace to fill a need at small forward.


Calipari had final say, and the Nets decided to pick Kittles with the No. 8 pick.


"Arn Tellem had something to do with that. I don't know how much leverage a 17-year-old kid can have," Bryant said. "At that point in time I was ready to play anywhere - Mars, Jupiter, New Jersey, Charlotte, didn't matter."


Dallas chose Samaki Walker ninth, Indiana took Erick Dampier 10th, Golden State selected Todd Fuller 11th, and Cleveland picked Vitaly Potapenko 12th.


Tellem said he would not let Bryant hold workouts for any of the teams picking between New Jersey and Charlotte, which helps explain why they all passed on him.


"I was crossing my fingers because there was a lot of teams in between there," Bryant said.

 

Wow, Franz wasn't kidding.

Check out this article.

Wang has gone AWOL...Cuban says he has no idea where he is. Apparently, he's somewhere in LA.

The author gives a few Yao mentions-
Not only is Wang's future in the NBA in jeopardy with his failure to comply to China's demands, NBA sources said, but Yao's future becomes murkier.
------
Consequences could be felt as soon as the June 26 NBA draft. The Houston Rockets are eyeing Wang's countryman, Yao, with the first pick. China has made it difficult for Yao to leave his club team, the Shanghai Sharks, by imposing strict restrictions that include handing over 50 percent of his total earnings to Chinese government agencies. Difficulties with Wang could add to hesitation to release Yao from his Chinese obligations.

 

Yeah, it's so simple, we are trying to lease Yao from the Chinese. I fail to see the similairities between buying a car and trying to DRAFT a player who requires dealing with a socialist govt, the team he currently plays for, the mayor of the city he is from, and his parents.

 

I didn't pay much attention to Basketball back then so I've been searching for an article that says that. So far, I have found nothing. I would appreciate it if somebody could show me an article or evidence that Kobe really did that. The one above says he didn't want to play in Jersey, so I guess he was wrong for that, but if any of us were in Kobe's shoes, would we want to play for the Nets? And if you know LA wanted you, wouldn't you want to play there? Besides, it looks like a 17 year old kid just did what the people he trusted, his dad and his agent, told him to do.

 

Bingo! They want him to play for the Rockets. That’s not all bad, surely. And the Rockets can easily give an enthusiastic, QUALIFIED, response. “We’re looking forward to having Yao Ming be an integral part of our team for years to come. We feel that he could help us take a big step toward winning another championship, as Hakeem did before him, etc. etc. … provided, of course, that he will be made available to us for the entirety of the NBA season and playoffs. We feel this is very important for team moral and chemistry and is essential to building a championship team etc. etc. …”

OTOH, maybe those treacherous commies in China are just plotting to take over the world, and Yao is really a secret agent sent here to put mind-controlling chemicals in the Houston waster system that will make you all into Mao worshipping, Tai Chi practising drones. On second thought, I’m sure that it. j/k

 

this, in conjunction with the Wang development, looks pretty bad.

maybe it's still a conspiracy?

Maybe Layden had some goons kidnap Wang?

ahhhh ...

 

Live, no disrespect but what are you talking about? This is not a business negotiation. China wants Ming picked #1 period, this has already been relayed through Mayor Brown. The Rockets own the #1 pick, so the only way Ming can be picked #1 is by the Rockets. Their is nothing to negotiate, they either agree to our terms, or deal with Ming sliding in the Draft.

Everybody in China, outside of the Shanghai Mangager, has seemed very cooperative working with the Rockets/Houston. But evidentally, this idiot is trying to start **** AGAIN!!! This is the guy that bad mouthed us to that Chicago paper, days after the draft. This is the guy that was telling Chicago how proud he would be for Ming to be in Chicago (not Houston). This is the guy that finally came out of the closet (today), since he heard the Rockets were heading to him, to tell them DONT COME UNTIL AFTER THE DRAFT, THERES NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT!!

The Rockets wanted one simple guarantee, that Ming would play for them next season without interruption (except off-season). They already stated they wanted Ming at #1 under their terms. They went on to state they would announce the deal before the draft, so everybody knew they were not GOING TO TRADE THE PICK!!! duh, Shanghai

So THIS BULL**** about them wanting assurances we are not going to trade Ming is stupid. If they were going to trade, they would pick Jay Williams. After this latest episode, I doubt anybody is going to want to deal with this idiot! (except NY)

 

Yes. Absoluetly. It's amazing but we deserve whatever we get.

Everyone in this country is tired of stupid a** lawsuits, some woman spills coffee on herself and gets big $$$.

A company lies about their books, lays off all their employees and the CEO gets a $20 million golden parachute while the shareholders, the employees and their families gets screwed up the ying yang.

We talk about wanting to control players salaries, demands, etc.. so what happens. Every owner wants to impose a salary cap just so they can find loopholes and cheat.

And that's just the sports that have a salary cap. For those that don't, we have the f****** Yankees buying their way to a championship when 2 of their star players make more than the entire Pirates squad.

I am tired of some of this B.S. too, but guess what, we put this crap on ourselves because in America, winning is everything. What's really sad is their tactics are what we see in this country everyday.

And hell if I'm going to let the Chinese government arrange it so he can play for the Knicks....

Screw that.

 

Really? Are you sure that they aren’t thinking of trading Yao? I don’t mean to startle you, but I’ve heard a rumour of two about him being traded. Perhaps the Chinese have heard some too.

And this is absolutely negotiation. Not the best form of negotiation, perhaps, but a very very common one. And Wang’s situation is quite different, I would think, given that he is in the Chinese army. This would make him AWOL, I suspect.

Edit: I guess I should have read the article before I commented. The title, “Mavs' Wang AWOL” might have given me a clue.

 

I would like to hear from more sources, but this is extremely discouraging. I've been floating along feeling like many of the Yao naysayers weren't giving credit to CBA, Shanghai Sharks officials who want Yao to play and succeed in the NBA. I want to be open-minded, but this doesn't make much sense to me unless Sharks officials, perhaps others either 1) don't really intend Yao to play full NBA seasons plus playoffs, or 2) don't really want Yao in Houston. If CD's already told them that they'll draft and keep Yao, provided they'll have him for the NBA season, there shouldn't be a problem, at least not such a problem that they have to play hardball like this.

I'm really upset. I hope this gets resolved and resolved soon. Grizzled, I hope you're right and that an assurance by CD as mentioned above will satisfy the Sharks.

 

<i> didn't pay much attention to Basketball back then so I've been searching for an article that says that. So far, I have found nothing. I would appreciate it if somebody could show me an article or evidence that Kobe really did that</i>

Here you go:

<b>But at the time, it stank of a high school kid declaring his dream to play in the NBA ... but only for the Lakers. Bryant basically strong-armed his way out of Charlotte instead of thanking the Hornets for spending a 13th overall pick on a teenager. He seemed to be giving off a vibe that only a city like L.A. was big enough to hold him.
</b>

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/2001/05/26/sayitaintso_lakers/

 

Grizzard, the ironic part is that the only teams that would accept Ming in a trade (on draft night) would be NY or Chicago. The places where China wants Ming. ITS CRAZY!!

 

Nothing to be alarmed about. This is not bad news folks… it’s just the way it is. I have dealt with the Chinese many times and when it comes to business they are tough negotiators. It’s just their nature. And if you read that quote they have changed their stand somewhat from the last time, they are talking about the possibilities.

My impression of their statement is that they are just trying to flex what little muscle they have and establish that they are in control. A control that is probably under scrutiny. I know this is just speculation, but having some experience with Chinese culture my guess is that Ming and his family, while quiet publicly, are privately pressuring the Sharks to release there son. I believe his cousin has conveyed a very positive impression of Houston to him.

They are impressed with our organization, they know we have a history of handling talented big man with sucess. (I am certain conveyed as much to Yao’s cousin.) So they are excited about him coming to Houston. (Why else would they request a no trade clause? ) But they want assurances that he will not be traded. Is that a bad thing? No! That is a good thing. If he is the talent that everyone claims he is than a no trade clause doesn’t hurt us… why would we want to trade him. A not trade clause is not unusual other players have received it.

So the way I see it, this is just their way of flexing their muscle as they feel their muscle is getting weaker. This is not a setback but rather a step forward… They are talking about the possibilities as are we. This is just another on the road to getting Ming. Not an easy road but I think it is worthwhile.

I watched the final game tonight and I am convinced if Ming is exactly what we need to compete for the championship. You can’t stop Shaq but if you can pull him away from the basket you stand a fighting chance against the Lakers. Divac had some success. And even Collins did. And if Ming is half the shooter that everyone claims he will also do it. Not to mention his shotblocking and passing skills and work ethic and team first attitude. I know my experience of Yao’s skill is limited, but if all these other teams are calling begging for Ming they most know something that most of us posters don’t. Yao is for real. So as long as we don’t have to sell are soul let’s do whatever it takes to get him.

 

I think this means they DO want him in Houston and DON’T want him traded to the Clippers, and they are trying use what leverage they have to make sure he stays in Houston. I don’t think they should have gone public with this, but I can appreciate their concern and that they are trying to see that their player has the best chance to succeed.

 

I’m not so sure this is true. Say the Rockets worked out a deal with Yao and drafted and signed him immediately. IIRC, he can then be traded within 24 hours of being drafted. He could then be traded to the Clippers, as has been rumoured, complete with a signed contract. They wouldn’t have to haggle with the Chinese to sign him, it would already be done. Of course he could refuse to report, but they don’t want that circus, and Sterling would love it. He doesn’t care about winning, just making money.

 

Old Man Rock, thanks, I feel better.

Old Man Rock, Grizzled, do you feel that CD assuring the Sharks that we won't trade Yao IF they assure the Rockets we'll have him for full NBA seasons will satisfy them? That's how most of us here are taking the latest Rockets press release, of course. It seems unreasonable to me to ask much more than that.

 

Relativist,

It sounds like a cat and mouse game..

You sign here and we'll announce we're drafting him....

You announce youre drafting him and not trade him to worthless crap Memphis, and we'll sign.

No.

No.

Pretty soon the United Nations will have to send an inspection team just to make sure both sides have signed the agreement at EXACTLY the same time.

Good god. It was just so much easier when Ralph Sampson punched out Jerry Sichting... ah the good ole days.

 

that offends me, houstonian. I'd appreciate it if you edited your post befor e an admin does it for you. You'll have to excuse me if I'm not feeling charitable tonight.

 

Relativist,

My gut tells me that everything will work out fine. I have faith in Rudy and CD and I think once they get down there, they will deal with the Sharks GM and everything will fall into place... not as quickly as we might want, but it will happen. It's also my gut that Ming is for real and by the end of the season he will be contributing solidly and only get better after that.