The Houston Rockets are serious about Yao Ming. So much so that they hope to send a group of team officials to Shanghai, China, to meet with Chinese basketball officials, although there are no plans yet to work out Yao, and Rockets representatives may not even see him.

Johnathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle writes that Rockets? GM Carroll Dawson, coach Rudy Tomjanovich, team attorney Michael Goldberg and director of team communications Nelson Luis are expected to represent the Rockets, a move Dawson admitted was "a pretty good indication" of what the Rockets hope to do with the first pick.

"Things have been progressing well. I think it's time we got together," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said. "We want them to know where we stand and let them know we understand Yao Ming's importance to the Chinese national team."

Ming is currently touring with the Chinese National Team and may not be in Shanghai when the Rocket?s officials are there. The Rockets have hinted that they feel Ming is the prize of the draft. Next week's meeting could be a key to securing the clearance to allow Yao to play through an NBA postseason.

Dawson said the progress on Yao has been good. "We're optimistic enough," Dawson said. "We think it's the right time to meet face-to-face. We've got to find out if there is any mystery. We think that the Chinese government is ready to do this. We're going to find out. If they give their blessings, the guarantee that the league is looking for, we'll see.

"Both sides want certain things. We want an uninterrupted season and playoffs. They want us to understand how important he is to the Chinese national team, and we do."