The Chinese have decided not to allow Yao Ming to leave the country.

by The Rocket Guy
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Jun 18, 2002, 11:00am
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Just when we think we know what the Rockets are going to do, everything falls apart. In this case, it may be a blessing.

Rockets legal counsel Michael Goldberg has been called back to China. The official story is that the Chinese are impressed with the way Goldberg has handled the negotiations, but let's have a dose of cold, hard reality here. The plan was for the Chinese to send the Rockets a letter releasing Yao Ming for 82 games without any interruption. It was said to be a formality. Well, the formality seems to be a little more complicated than it was originally believed. The Chinese were said to be very upset over the apparent defection of Dallas' Wang Zhizhi, but nothing was said about it during the Rockets' negotiations last week. Sooner or later, though, the paranoia was due to hit home. Word has it that Goldberg has been recalled to get the bad news. The Chinese have decided not to allow Yao Ming to leave the country.

Is it a coincidence that Duke's Jay Williams is in Houston today to workout for the Rockets? Don't bet on it. Williams' workout was originally scheduled for last Thursday, but with the Rockets seemingly a lock to draft Yao Ming, the appointment was "postponed." The player that is being called the undisputed best talent in the 2002 Draft pool will be in Houston, and the calls have not stopped coming in with offers for the #1 pick. Yao Ming is a diversion, but Jay Williams is the real thing.

Meanwhile - the Golden State Warriors have expressed interest in drafting Yao Ming, owing to their large Asian population. They are not, however, talking trade with the Rockets. No, the Warriors have made it clear that they would draft Ming with the #3 pick, opening up some room to maneuver. The Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers are dying to get their hands on Jay Williams, and until today the Bulls have been confident that he would be at the helm of their team next season. Williams has even talked about how well he fits in with the Bulls' system and the Bulls have begun listening to offers for Travis Best as a result.

What if the Rockets draft Williams? They could immediately turn around and send him to LA for Olowokandi. They can include Glen Rice in the deal, freeing up $8 million in cap space and a starting spot for Kenny Thomas.
What about a better deal?

The Bulls have their hearts set on Jay Williams, so why not give them what they want? Rumor has it that the Bulls may want Williams bad enough to part with something of great value for him. Say, Jalen Rose? Rose would certainly make the deal worthwhile for the Rockets, who would not need to address their center position if they had the offensive punch of Rose at the small forward position. Chicago would have to throw in additional compensation, but what's it worth to have the top 2 picks in the draft? Something to consider as the Rockets get a good look at Williams today.

This may be a blessing for the Rockets. They were about to gamble the future
of the franchise on an unknown quantity. If the Chinese pull Ming's name out of
the running, the Rockets will be forced to make a deal that makes more sense and
stands a better chance of getting the team into the playoffs.

 

to give his credit on this, it is not him whom reported that, it is from hoopsworld's paid subscribe service that reported that. of course, if they get this from him then....but i really doubt it. i don't know where hoopsworld get it from so.