Longtime NBA Assistant Coach Elston Turner, who spent the 2007-08 season with the Rockets, is reportedly a serious candidate for the coaching job with the Suns, according to The Sacramento Bee.

Phoenix officials refused to comment on the situation, but sources claim that the team is very interested in Turner after they met last week.

General Manager Steve Kerr might even meet informally with Turner during the Pre-Draft camp in Orlando at some point.

"I just consider myself in the running," Turner said.

Rockets' center Yao Ming assisted the pit crew team of Kyle Petty at a NASCAR event on Sunday, according to The Houston Chronicle.

"It was very cool," Yao said. "They showed me how to change a tire and refuel a car in what, 12 seconds? That's a little different when you change your own tire. I never saw that."

The event was part of the launch of the new Coca-Cola Olympic program as Yao played hoops with a handful of drivers, as well.

"While I probably didn't give Yao much of a challenge at the hoop," racer Jeff Burton said, "I'd like to see how he'd fare swapping paint with me at 200 mph on the track. Unfortunately, I don't think he'll fit into a stock car."

Yao Ming will begin training again in June for the Chinese National Team as he continues his recovery from foot surgery, according to a report in Reuters.

He has started running recently at "three quarters of his full power," a Chinese basketball official revealed to a local newspaper.

"Presumably, he will return to China in late June," China team Manager Bai Xilin said. "But it all depends on the doctor's examination."

Houston Rockets' Assistant Coach Elston Turner has interviewed for the head coaching vacancy with the Phoenix Suns, according to The Associated Press.

Turner, 48, has been an assistant in the NBA for eleven seasons.

He informed a local television station in Houston that the Suns will contact him next week if he's going to be invited back for a second interview.

Turner is known for his defense, something that General Manager Steve Kerr is trying to improve in Phoenix.

Dikembe Mutombo is not ready to hang up the sneakers just yet.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Mutombo, at age 42, has decided that he's going to be back for a 18th season.

?I'm going to consider to keep playing basketball,? said Mutombo, saying his return will now depend on reaching a contract agreement with the Rockets. ?The next part will be to tell my lawyer David Falk. My body and my mind is responding to the thrill of the game. The coaches and the fans and everyone are in there."

?I talked to my wife and kids a lot this week especially my children. (They) want me to play one more year.?

Shane Battier has pulled himself out of contention for the United States Olympic team in Beijing because the rehabilitation following last week's ankle surgery is expected to extend into July, according to The Houston Chronicle.

"I just got off the crutches today," Battier said. "After talking to Dr. (Tom) Clanton, I won't start running until after July 4. There is a (USA Basketball) mini-camp the last weekend in June. If you can't play in the mini-camp, you probably can't make the team, so that that probably means the decision has been made."

He joined USA Basketball in 2006, but did not play in the Tournament of Americas qualifying event last summer and is still on the 33-player roster from which this summer's Olympic team will be selected.

"It's disappointing. At the same time, I was honored to be considered. I feel good about what USA Basketball has done. I think they'll be a great team and win the gold medal," Battier added.

Robert Horry is now the sole owner of the league record for most postseason games played.

By playing in Game 5 against the Hornets, Horry overtook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to take the record.  The game was number 238 in the postseason for Horry.

Houston guard Rafer Alston and forward Shane Battier have had minor surgical procedures to repair injuries that occurred late in the season, according to The Associated Press.

Battier had a procedure to remove bone spurs from his left ankle while Alston had ligament and tendon damage repaired in his right ankle.

Both players will be ready when the team opens camp in the fall.

Steve Francis has decided to pick up his player option with the team, avoiding free agency, the team's official website has announced.

Francis appeared in 10 games in 2007-08, averaging 5.5 points and 3.0 assists before being sidelined by the knee injury.

Rockets' guard Tracy McGrady could need as many as three months to recover from the knee and shoulder surgery he underwent on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.

"I don't expect these issues to impact his ability to prepare for the upcoming season," said team physician Tom Clanton, who operated on McGrady's knee.

Houston is crossing their fingers that both McGrady and center Yao Ming will be back to 100% when the 2008-09 season kicks off this fall.