some reports from China after Draft

NEW YORK, June 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese center Yao Ming was picked up by the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the draft here Wednesday evening, becoming the first international to be honored with the overall first-placepick this year.

¡¡¡¡At the New York Theatre in the Madison Square Garden, NBA Commissioner David Stern told Xinhua that "it's a great and marvellous moment for the Rockets, for the NBA and for the whole world, and especially for China. Yao Ming is a skilled player, and he becomes the first international to be picked up with the overall first pick, but he will not be the last Chinese player to join in the NBA."

¡¡¡¡The earlier highest pick for an international was third place when Pau Gasol of Spain was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2001.

¡¡¡¡The 2.25-meter Chinese, who will have a guaranteed three-year contract worth of 10.40 million U.S. dollars, thus will join ranksin the NBA with his Chinese national teammates Wang Zhizhi of the Dallas Mavericks and Mengke Bateer of the Denver Nuggets, members of the Walking Great Wall.

¡¡¡¡"It's a very excited moment for us to draft Yao Ming with the overall first pick," said Carroll Dawson, general manager of the Hoston Rockets, "We made the decisioin because of his size, because of his athletic abilities, and because of his understanding of the game. With his size of 7-5, he has the greatskills of passing and scoring."

¡¡¡¡When Stern made the official announcement that Chinese Yao Mingwas drafted by the Rockets with the overall first pick, the American fans at the theatre were caught off a little bit as they were expecting Jay Williams to be in the spotlight.

¡¡¡¡However, more and more NBA officials recognize the fact that the influx of international players has made the NBA games more exciting and competitive in the world as 52 foreigners played in the 2002 season, attracting fans from 210 countries and regions globally.

¡¡¡¡"Yao Ming will face enormous expectations in the NBA, and it will be tough for the kid," said NBA retired veteran Charles Barkley, member of the NBA Greatest 50, "I have the best wishes for him as he has overcome so much obstacles for the moment."

¡¡¡¡"The language barrier will be the first challenge for Yao," said NBA TV commentator Kenny Smith, "The sooner he overcomes the barrier, the better he will be in the NBA."

¡¡¡¡Although Yao Ming has made his impact in the basketball world after the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, "he still has to show his ability to adapt to the quicker pace and more competitive NBA style. Whether he can achieve success will depends on whether he can stay out of foul trouble and whether he can defend (his opponents) in the NBA," said another veteran NBA commentator Hube Brown.

¡¡¡¡Yao, who led his Shanghai Sharks for their first title in the Chinese Basketball League this year, was delayed for two years from joining in the NBA and was only cleared of all restrictions 15 hours before the draft by all parties concerned.

¡¡¡¡As a key member for the Chinese national team, Yao Ming is being officially requested by the Chinese Basketball Administration Center to represent China in future international competitions, which were honored in written form eventually by theHouston Rockets.

¡¡¡¡"I received a letter early this morning from CBA (Chinese Basketball Association) chief executive Xin Lancheng confirming that all of his concerns had been addressed," said Michael Goldberg, general counsel of the Rockets.

¡¡¡¡"The fact that we arrived at such a mutually beneficial understanding in such a short period of time illustrates the spirit of cooperation and trust that existed throughout these discussions. There are many rounds of congratulations exchanged this morning with chief executive Xin, Yao Ming's representatives and officials from the Shanghai Sharks," he said.

¡¡¡¡"The assurance we gave each other was that it's a win-win situation. They know with training in the U.S., Yao Ming will become a much better player and help their national team," said Goldberg, "They want what is necessary for the Rockets to win championships here and for China to win championships there."

¡¡¡¡Tipped as the best cager in China against his future NBA compatriots Wang Zhizhi and Mengke Bateer, Yao can still have somematchup problems going against more muscular frontcourt types in NBA. However, his height and perimeter abilities will give opponents headaches.

¡¡¡¡"I think he will be a force eventually, but he will take time to develop," said Indian Pacers president Donnie Walsh, "He does remind me of (longtime Pacers center) Rik Smits (of the Netherlands). He is bigger and probably more skilled than Rik waswhen he came into the league."

¡¡¡¡"The things that impress you are that he has very solid post moves and a soft touch around the basket," said Miami Heat president and general manager of basketball operations Randy Pfund.

¡¡¡¡The NBA drafted was televised by the Turner Network Televison (TNT) nationwide in the United States. As Yao Ming stays in Beijing at the moment, TNT sent its TV crew two weeks ago to Chinaand sent back live feedback after Yao was drafted by the Rockets with the first overall pick.

¡¡¡¡"It's a great moment for me to realize my dream. To join in the NBA, I'm sure that my overall skills will be improved, and it will be great for both the Rockets and for the Chinese national team. I'm expecting the challenges ahead and I'm confident of my skills."

 

BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese center Yao Ming applauded with his parents and his national team coach when he was selected by the Houston Rockets with the top pick at the NBA draft on Thursday morning here.

¡¡¡¡"I'm happy now, and I feel a little bit nervous," the 2.25-meter (7-5 feet) center said at the Beijing bureau of America's CNN in the Jiangwai Foreigners Dorms Buildings.

¡¡¡¡Yao, who will be 22 years old in September, becomes the first international player who is selected at No.1 from leagues outside the United States.

¡¡¡¡The soft-spoken center was expected to be selected by the Rockets with the top pick couples hours before the start of the draft conference as the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) cleared the way for Yao to join NBA.

¡¡¡¡Yao had reached an agreement of compensation with his Chinese club, the Shanghai Sharks, previously, and CBA had promised to release Yao could the Rockets select him with their first pick.

¡¡¡¡"Now there are many challenges ahead. I'm looking forward to take on all the centers of NBA though I know it won't be an easy task," Yao said.

¡¡¡¡When NBA commissioner David Stern announced at draft conference,which was held on Wednesday night at New York of America, Yao applauded with his parents, father Yao Zhiyuan and mother Fang Fengdi, and his coach, Wang Fei, who accompanied with him earlier on Thursday morning.

¡¡¡¡"I think it is a fate -- the first NBA match I watched was the Rockets' match," Yao added.

¡¡¡¡"I don't know much of the Rockets. Now I am selected by them and I should learn more of them, certainly on the TV," he said.

¡¡¡¡Yao will be the third Chinese player to play in NBA. His national teammates Wang Zhizhi and Menk Bateer served for the Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets respectively.

¡¡¡¡"It will be a new circumstance to play with the Rockets. I'm going to deal with many new things, like foods, and I'm confident I can work it out," Yao vowed.

¡¡¡¡"I will improve myself and lead the Chinese basketball to a higher level in the future."

 

Yao Ming in the training after draft.

 

CRI REPORT:

With NBA commissoner David Stern's announcement, Yao Ming was selected first overall by the Houston Rockets. It is the first time for a foreign player who didn't play college basketball in the United States to be No. 1 in the draft.


The draft was held in New York. When Yao Ming heard the news in Beijing, he was over the moon. He says it's a new start in his basketball career, a new life, and he's brimming with confidence.


And he has good reason to: In the past year, this seven foot five center led his home team, the Shanghai Sharks, to the top of China' s domestic league, the CBA. His terrific performance in the league caught the attention of many NBA clubs.


This year, the Houston Rockets had the first choice, and they chose this new star from China. As the Rockets' lawyer, Michael Goldburg says, they hope Yaoming can help them win back the championship in the near future, and in return, Yao Ming will learn a lot in the NBA.


And we're sure he'll soon feel right at home in the States: our correspondent in New York, Qian Jun, says the US media and Rockets players all look forward to giving Yao Ming a wonderful, warm welcome. Qian Jun says they also have a few comments on his game.


Just like Mobley says, Yao Ming has clear mind, quick moves and accurate shots, but there is something he must solve if playing in the NBA: that is his light weight and lack of physical strength.


Before his trip to the NBA, Yaoming will attend the World Championship in Indianapolis this August, as well as play in the Asian Games this October.