Another article with a little more information, reinforces that Yao will arrive in Houston Sunday/Monday. (Uh-oh Trader_Jorge, American disinformation!!) Agent: Yao has permission to report to Rockets From Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) -- Yao Ming has fulfilled all the requirements needed to begin his NBA career, and he's not expected to miss any regular-season games with the Houston Rockets. "We're trying to get him to Houston Sunday or Monday," his agent, Erik Zhang, said Thursday. "We're ecstatic. This is great. Everything has turned out great." Yao was the Rockets' first pick in the NBA draft, but he has missed all of training camp -- including five exhibition games -- while playing with the Chinese national team at the Asian Games. Zhang said Yao will be prepared, though. "He'll have 10 days to get ready, although he missed a lot of time in training camp," he said. After fulfilling his obligations to the Chinese Basketball Association, Yao had to give assurances that he would return for future international tournaments. Yao also received a visa to travel to the United States. "Yao has signed an agreement with the CBA basically affirming his responsibilities as a national team player," Zhang said. "Houston has reached agreement with the CBA on various issues. The key was allowing Yao to play for the national team." Zhang said Yao's mother already is in Houston, and that his father will travel with the 7-foot-5 center. "The plans are for his mother to stay for the season to help him in his adjustment," Zhang said. "His father will stay for about a month and then return to China." The last hurdle was thought to be a release from FIBA, the sport's international governing body, but apparently that wasn't needed, Zhang said. Michael Goldberg, a Rockets attorney, told The Houston Chronicle and KRIV by telephone from Seoul, South Korea, that he has worked out the terms of Yao's release and the signing was expected early Friday morning in China, which is Thursday evening in Houston. "I'm very proud of our organization and the work we've done to get this finished," Goldberg told the Chronicle. "I have felt positive that we would get to this stage. But with almost every day people asking me if the big man is here yet, it's a tremendous relief to finally be able to say 'Yes."' Yao already has agreed to a four-year, $17.8 million contract, including an option year. "The paperwork will be finished sometime (Thursday)," Goldberg said. "But we're done. We're done."
I had the fortuen of flying first class on one of those new 777's (I think that's the number) to London a few months back. Those seats are actually very comfortable. I mean, I had too much leg room - I essentially had to get up to reach the seat in front of me to put stuff in the back pocket...tv with movie's, games, etc right at your seat, decent food...all in all not a terrible experience. Nonetheless, it's still a plane, and nobody likes to sit in the same seat hour after hour anyway, so I'm sure there will be some discomfort.
It'd be great if he walks into the Laptop during the game! You guys in H-town better be there! Maybe it'll finally be a sell out.
Did we have more preseason games that I didnt know about? This is written to sound like he has already missed camp and 5 games.. Reporters! Man, I'm pumped...he comes at last! Panda, What are you referring to? I dont get it.. Houston, here he come.
Rockets2K: I was just responding to heech's remarks on "Chinese media disinformation" in this and another thread regarding some people who seem to have fun in nit-picking China. Nothing against anyone in particular. No big deal.
This has prolly already been posted, but oh well. Yahoo! confirms: Yao moves closer to joining Rockets October 17, 2002 HOUSTON (AP) -- Yao Ming is closer to joining the Houston Rockets after receiving his visa from the Chinese government and signing allegiance to his country's basketball association. Now that the document from the China Basketball Association has been signed, Yao just needs to obtain final clearance from FIBA -- the international governing body of the sport -- to travel to the Rockets' camp, his agent told Houston station KRIV-TV on Wednesday. ``This is one of the things the CBA needed to issue its clearance to FIBA stating Yao is no longer under contractual obligation to any Chinese team, and is free to sign with the NBA,'' agent Erik Zhang said. Signing allegiance to the CBA allows China to bring back its 7-foot-5 star for international tournaments. Zhang said Yao has a visa given to Chinese citizens with special talents. Yao, the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, had 23 points and 22 rebounds in the Asian Games championship, but South Korea won the gold medal by defeating China 102-100 in overtime. The Rockets play five exhibitions before opening the regular season Oct. 30 at Indiana.
HI , MEN YOU HOUSTON TOOK OFF OUR PILLAR OF SHANGHAI SHARKS ALTHOUGH I KNOW IT'S GOOD FOR YAO BUT I THINK WE COULD HARDLY BE CHAMPION NEXT YEAR!!!
