In 1994, the Houston Rockets traded Robert Horry and Matt Bullard to the Detroit Pistons for veteran sharpshooter Sean Elliot. Horry was shocked, Bullard was angry and Elliott was about to flunk a physical because of kidney problems.

When that happened, the trade was rescinded. Everyone got back on a plane, flew home and tried to pretend it never happened.

"It probably saved my career," he said. "I came back knowing that the reason they traded me was for not shooting the basketball enough.

"So once I came back, they were going to have to tell me to stop shooting."

As minds throughout the NBA raced to recall details of the games Tim Donaghy officiated, to disputed calls and controversial moments, there were two Rockets games that immediately commanded attention.

The Rockets' loss to the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 17 and the win against the Orlando Magic on Feb. 25 stood out as games certain to draw the interest of investigators looking into whether Donaghy influenced the results of NBA games.

Donaghy was assigned four Rockets games last season, but the game against the Suns in January has drawn attention because of the movement of the betting line and results.

The Suns had been favored to win by 3 1/2 points the day before the game. They were favored by nine by game time (though the line might have moved so greatly because Tracy McGrady left the game the previous night with a sore back and did not play against the Suns). The Suns won by nine.

"The big trend with him in particular is that the first 15 games last season he refereed where we saw line movement of at least 1 1/2 points were a perfect 15-of-15 for the big-money people betting," said Matty O'Shea, general manager of content at pregame.com and a handicapper. "The odds of that happening randomly are only 33,000-to-1."

The Heat is focusing on trades to find a point guard, and talks continue with Houston regarding Rafer Alston (due $14.7 million during the next three years). Though Miami would move Michael Doleac, the Rockets are exploring what other teams would offer.

Talks with Sacramento about Mike Bibby have not materialized -- the Kings aren't eager to take back ex-King Jason Williams.

According to the Houston Chronicle, the Miami Heat have expressed interest in Rockets guard Rafer Alston, with forward Udonis Haslem and center Michael Doleac among the names discussed.

Houston's acquisition of Steve Francis could lead to other moves.

GM Daryl Morey has said he would look to move point guard John Lucas III. He has spoken to several teams, including New Orleans.

Houston Rockets' All-star center Yao Ming says he has been treated unfairly in an unprecedented attack by the country's official sports newspaper, China Sports Daily.

The newspaper of the General Administration of Sports on Monday hit out at Yao for "being privileged" and taking too much time off to recover from injury.

"No matter how lofty public welfare activities are, they can't be allowed to take first place in a player's life," the paper added, citing Yao's recent promotion of the Special Olympic Games in Shanghai. "No matter how sweet personal life is, it can't be compared to the exultation of capturing glory for one's nation."

"I know Chinese law protects people's right of speech but I feel this is unfair on me," Yao told China Daily in Beijing. "I entered the national team at the age of 18 and have competed for the national team for 10 years. I promise I have played with 100 per cent focus every year. The team are witnesses to my improvement and also my commitment."

Former Rockets guard Steve Francis is about to be future Rockets guard Steve Francis.

Francis chose the Rockets over the Heat, Mavericks and Clippers, his agent Jeff Fried said on Thursday.

"I just hung up with Daryl (Morey, the Rockets general manager)," Fried said. "He is dealing with facilitating the contract.

"It's a combination of a variety of factors including the fit with the team, a comfortableness with the organization and a familiarity with the surroundings. He has a home in Houston. In so many ways, it has remained his home, despite some interim stops, Orlando and New York.

"For Steve, it's coming home."

Steve Francis ended Wednesday ready to sleep on his choice among four teams, including the Rockets. By Thursday night, his agent said, Francis could be ready to announce a decision.

Jeff Fried said Francis had not reached any decision, able only to narrow his choice to the Rockets, Heat, Mavericks and Clippers. Fried said he would not be able to list them in an order of preference.

Though the Rockets are limited to giving Francis $2.3 million for the first season ? the money left on their mid-level exception after the signing of forward Luis Scola ? Fried said the relatively small offer would not limit the team's chances with the 30-year-old guard.

"Because of the (buyout) agreement with the Trail Blazers, financial considerations really are secondary," Fried said. "He's looking for a fit.

Former Knick Steve Francis is likely to sign with the Rockets, Clippers, Mavericks or Heat, perhaps as early as Wednesday.

China's official sports association has issued an unprecedented public criticism of Yao Ming for reporting late to national team training, according to a report issued by the Associated Press.

The Houston Rockets' star was faulted for taking too much time off to recover from his last NBA season. The government's All-China Sports Federation also said he spent too much time planning his wedding and making appearances for the Special Olympics and 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

"No matter how lofty public welfare activities are, they can't be allowed to take first place in a player's life,'' the China Sports Daily, a federation-owned newspaper, said in an article appearing Tuesday.

"No matter how sweet personal life is, it can't be compared to the exultation of capturing glory for one's nation,'' the article said.

Chinese Web sites later said Yao reported for national teaming training on Wednesday.

The article quoted Li Yuanwei, the national basketball center director, as saying the team's Olympic preparations were built around their major star. Li said he hoped Yao would join the team later this month in the Stankovic Cup.

"Without Yao Ming, a warmup competition is far less valuable,'' the article said.