Our YaoMania! correspondent Raymond has translated a Chinese article about how Yao is amazed at how effective Carroll Dawson is in teaching him how to become a better big man. What’s sad is that CD has been so close, but yet so far (probably thanks to Jeff Van Gundy’s unwise preference that Dawson not get involved — can you say ‘power trip’ or ‘paranoid?’).

I also find it interesting how Yao didn’t mention Patrick Ewing in this interview. It just goes to show that Ewing wasn’t that great of a coach as it relates to Yao’s progress…as we all expected.

Here’s the translation:

After practicing with 68-year-old Carroll Dawson for a week, Yao Ming somewhat sighed with regret how time has flown by so quickly, and more regrettably how he found out that the most suitable coach (for centers) for him was no one but this old man who had been watching him from courtside for the past 5 years.

“It is all purely about technique (for the centers), extremely delicate and detailed stuff.” This is how Yao Ming described Carroll Dawson’s training. “He just nitpicks on my game and techniques as a center. For 5 years, this is by far the sort of training I never had before.”

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I love this article about how former Rockets GM Carroll Dawson, who taught Hakeem Olajuwon a few things about becoming a dominant big man, has been instructing Yao on how to develop a killer sky-hook, cut down on turnovers, and become even more dominant. Yao has been great in responding to the instruction by showing that he’s one of the hardest working players Dawson has ever seen.

This article doesn’t really mention it, but word has it that Jeff Van Gundy didn’t want anyone else other than his own coaches (like Tom Thibodeau) messin’ with Yao (even if it’s Hakeem). That’s a shame since Dawson is highly respected for what he can do with big men, as new coach Rick Adelman believes. Shame on Van Gundy if this is true.

It’s one thing to not want help from someone outside of the organization, but if they are inside the organization and as respected as Dawson is with big men, that’s a different story. If it is true, good riddance JVG.

After trying to acquire Mike James for the past couple of years after foolishly trading him to Toronto for Rafer Alston in 2005, it looks like the Rockets finally will succeed in getting him. Word has it they will trade Juwan Howard for James, and other players may be part of the deal.

Barring any additional players included in the deal that don’t make sense giving up, I’m ecstatic about this move. It was no secret I thought trading James for Alston was a boneheaded move, and it really hurt when James had a career year after becoming a Raptor when the Rockets’ JVG-powered offense struggled without him.

For all the flack that new GM Daryl Morey took with the JVG-Rick Adelman situation, you’ve got to give him lots of credit for this move. Even if James had an off year last season, he is bound to have a good career in Houston. He always wanted to come back to Houston where he had some good seasons, and his wife is from H-Town. James is only 32, so he has a few good years left in him. And when you think about it, there aren’t many point guards available who can score and are affordable.

UPDATE: As everyone knows, the trade went down and it’s official. Minnesota’s Justin Reed was included in the deal. Here’s a photo from the press conference announcing the trade. Pictured is coach Rick Adelman, James, and Rockets’ GM Daryl Morey.

It has been awhile since we’ve had any Rocket or Yao news, but today we finally get some. It looks like former NBA great and assistant coach Jack Sikma may be joining Rick Adelman’s coaching staff. Mario Elie also appears to be interviewing for a position. I say good moves by Adelman if both come through.

This article in the Houston Chronicle goes into detail about the Sikma possibilities. I’ve got to think Sikma will teach Yao a few more things than Patrick Ewing ever did. Sikma’s not Hakeem or Kareem, but he’s not chopped liver, either.

Here’s a good article about how Orlando’s Dwight Howard thinks Yi Jianlian can survive his rookie year.

Looks like Boston is going to take Yi Jianlian with the fifth pick in the draft if he is available. Click here for the story.