Take an electric adaptor, Rudy (RT and CD goin' to China)

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2002/draft/news/2002/06/04/rockets_yao_ap/

Rockets planning China trip to woo likely No. 1 pick Yao

Posted: Tuesday June 04, 2002 12:15 PM


HOUSTON (AP) -- The Houston Rockets are assembling a delegation to travel to China to discuss selecting 7-foot-5 center Yao Ming with the first pick of the NBA draft.

"We are working on getting a contingent together and we are trying to finalize some details," Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis said Tuesday. "We're still not set on exactly who is going. We're not sure everyone's schedule can work."

Houston television station KRIV reported Monday that general manager Carroll Dawson, coach Rudy Tomjanovich and team attorney Mike Goldberg could make the trip as early as this week.

The Rockets won the NBA lottery and will make the first pick in the draft to be held June 26. The Rockets, who need rebounding help, could make Yao the top pick if they can reach agreement with the Chinese government on his availability.

Houston Mayor Lee Brown, who was in China last week, said the mayor of Shanghai told him he would recommend to Yao's family that he continue his basketball career in the NBA.

Brown said he was also told that China wants assurances that Yao will be able to play for its national team during international competition.