Chinese star center Yao Ming and his representatives has reached "Agreements in Principle" on how they would compensate the Shanghai Sharks if any NBA team pick him in the 2002 NBA draft next week. "We have reached agreements in principle with the club," Yao's representative Zhang Mingji, or Known as Eric Zhang in the United States, told Xinhua from Shanghai. Yao and Zhang made their final offer Thursday and it seemed the Sharks finally accepted it. "We have made our final offer today to the Shanghai Sharks," Zhang told Houston television station KRIV on Thursday. However, Zhang declined to go into details of the agreements. "We'd like to keep it confidential," Zhang said. A press conference will be held late Saturday in Shanghai, where the 2.26-meter (7-foot-5) center was born and the club was based, on Yao's play in the NBA. Yao, who is now training with the Chinese national team in their preparations for the World Men's Basketball Championship in Autumn and the Asian Games in October, will need approvals from his club, Shanghai Sports Administration Bureau, the CBA and the State Sports General Administration to play in the NBA. "Our next step will be to reach certain agreements with the CBA, " Zhang added. The CBA announced on Friday that Yao would not present at the NBA draft scheduled on June 26 but it would not affect Yao's future in the NBA. "Whether Yao be present at the Draft or not, it will not affect his future in the NBA," read a press release form the CBA. Yao admitted it would be a pity to be absent from the assembly but accepted the decision calmly. "It's a pity, but the most important thing for me is to play in the NBA," Yao told Xinhua on Friday. "It will not affect his position in the draft," Zhang Mingji said. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-06/22/content_452766.htm Now he can smile.
Windandsea,as usual,right on time with the latest from overseas and another great picture! This picture of Yao truly tells the relief that everyone feels now we can see the finish line and all looks good. I hope we get to see alot more of these smiles from Yao! Three cheers for windandsea and Goldberg,the two people most responsible for getting Yao and Houston together! smiley,grin,cool shades
I can't wait for the official anouncement at the press conference! When is the press conference? It's 7.30pm at Shanghai already...
windandsea,any photos of Ming and parents together? We've only seen a few comments from his mother but that's the first time we've seen a picture. Any stories on the family...will they be staying there or coming with Ming?
Finally, the deal is done. But it is wierd. Yao Ming will play for Rockets, but he had to pay most part of his transaction fee. Rockets only need to pay $350000.That's why the Rockets' side was done so easily. And I doult Yao Ming is still in the control of Sharks. Yao was a shark. He rents himself, he is still a sharks,something like that.
I would just like to ask a few questions. When is the press conference taking place? From a previous posting it says Yao's agents expect a reply from the CBA by Monday,which is the deadline day that the Rockets have set for the FIBA clearance.Is there any chance that the Rockets might extend the deadline any further if things take a little more time with the CBA? Does anyone know about the nature of the injury that Ming sustained a few days ago,it sounds like it's probably minor if he is still taking part in light shooting with his team.
