Yao will play the Sunday Night Game San Francisco Chronical Yao gets final NBA OK Jake Curtis, Chronicle Staff Writer Chinese star Yao Ming, the first player drafted in the June draft, received the final clearance to play in the NBA on Thursday and is expected to join the Houston Rockets on Sunday, according to a source on Yao's management team. "He received his final clearance (Thursday), all the documents are signed," said the source, "and we hope to have him in uniform on Sunday, maybe play in the exhibition game against Orlando (in Houston Sunday night)." The final hurdle was cleared when the Chinese Basketball Association notified Rockets officials that it had released Yao from his CBA contract, freeing him to sign with the Rockets and play in the NBA. Yao had expressed his willingness to continue his participation with the Chinese National team, which was one of the stipulations for his release. Yao's mother, Fengdi Fang, had arrived in the United States earlier in the week, and when the Asian Games ended Monday, it was anticipated that Yao's clearance was imminent. A few days ago, Yao had agreed to a four-year contract with the Rockets worth nearly $18 million. Getting Yao cleared to play in the NBA has been a drawn-out process that started long before he became the first player from a foreign country to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. The 7-foot-5 Yao has excellent skills and shooting range for a big man, and many scouts believe that, with time, Yao can be a dominant force in the NBA. He averaged 21 points and 9.3 rebounds for China in the World Championships this summer in Indianapolis. Yao is expected to leave Shanghai on Saturday. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/10/18/SP236676.DTL ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So Ming will actually play the sunday night's game?
I can seem him at least being in uniform to fit more smoothly in the introductions. You gotta thinks hes going to be awfuly tired though. Maybe he can get by on adrenaline.
He will not play. He'll be lucky if the jet lag doesn't give make him sick! A little tip for Yao... Stay up all night one night in a row and then sleep like a mutha the next day. The best way to beat jet lag. Unless you have to get up for media, practice or a game, in which case, ignore what I just said and suck it up! You're a pro now.
I agree with you. I could see him dress in his uniform but would be shocked to see him play even one second.
Ya know, I said this a while back. We all know Hakeem is retiring, but theres no reason he cant wear his Raptors uniform for the opener. I'd love to see both Yao and Hakeem, in uniform, shaking hands at center court. Great great photo op.
Ming will definitely be very tired on that night. Putting on the pajama makes good sense. Just hope he won't fall asleep sitting on the bench though...
He just MIGHT fall asleep if he has to watch the likes of Maddox, Mickeal and Collier on the court at the same time.
Man, I have taken a flight from China to Houston and Chaka Khan, I feel for Yao Ming. I can't imagine having to play basketball within a week of that flight.
Elvis, You are bang on money there. I really do not think that he can play for a few days (if we want him to turn in his best). But I suspect the front office might want to see him moving in quickly, even if its for a few minutes each of those game. IMGO, actually the worst of jet lag is on Day 2,3. THe firstr day you are tired of the long flight, but not so much from the jet lag. Jet lag takes typically 12-30 hours to manifest. Based on that he could actually play the game on Sunday and stay off on Monday.
Hey guys, I'm young and have yet to fly overseas (and won't) what are the symptoms of jetlag? I've just heard the term used but never knew whai it does to ya.
