The Chinese basketball executive advising prospective NBA star Yao Ming talked up the possibility Wednesday of the 7-foot-5-inch center joining the Bulls while saying he was miffed he had not heard from the Houston Rockets.
In his first comments to the American media since Houston won Sunday’s NBA draft lottery for the first overall pick, Shanghai Sharks general manager Li Yao-min said he hadn’t heard from Houston. And he reminded the NBA that the Sharks, as Yao’s Chinese team, have veto power over any deal.
“Up to now Houston hasn’t made any contact, so we have to conclude that Houston doesn’t really want Yao Ming, or even if they do, maybe our club disagrees,” Li said in a telephone interview from Shanghai.
A Houston television station, however, has reported that the Rockets have been in touch by telephone with one of Yao’s representatives, his cousin Erik Zhang. And in a conference call with reporters Tuesday, Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson acknowledged “concern” over the procedure for obtaining Yao’s services but said the hurdle did not seem insurmountable.
In what sounded like the start of negotiations that likely will last through the June 26 draft, Li suggested the need for a broad-based deal that would benefit Shanghai, but he said Houston was not being cut off from any negotiations.
He declined to offer any details about what Shanghai wants for Yao’s rights, but he pointed out numerous NBA executives had visited Shanghai to inquire about Yao’s availability and the discussions involved ways to work with the Sharks.
“The purpose of visiting China was to set up contact with us and also, more important, to set up a relationship with our club,” Li said.
It has been assumed that in addition to money, an agreement to get Yao probably would include some other inducements to increase contact between the NBA and the Chinese Basketball Association to boost the popularity and skill level of the game in China.
Li also suggested the NBA might need Yao more than China needs to see Yao play in the NBA.
“If Americans want to get more influence and impact for basketball in the outside world, they will have to find players from outside the U.S.,” he said. “Asia is the most populated continent and the game is growing fast here. Yao Ming will inevitably become the best bridge for the American NBA if they want to open the Asian market.”
While apparently trying to put some pressure on Houston, Li had kind words for Chicago, site of Yao’s May 1 exhibition for NBA scouts and executives. The Bulls, who have the draft’s second pick, and the Knicks had private workouts with Yao. The Bulls also are one of the best-known teams in China because of the popularity of Michael Jordan.
“I have to say that the Chicago Bulls had the biggest impact in China of all the NBA teams,” he said.
“I think if Yao Ming can play for the team Michael Jordan used to play for, it would be a great honor.”
