In regard to the first question, as far as Adelman is concerned, Yao Ming has as good of a shooting touch and feel as Brad Miller, and he can also be similar to Vlade Divac to become the best passing center in the entire NBA. As for the second question, Adelman said: “I hope the Rockets can advance very, very deep in the playoffs.”

TITAN: After you took rest at home for a full season, what made you accept Houston’s offer to take the helm as their head coach?

ADELMAN: I have always been waiting for the best opportunity. In Houston, they have a bunch of outstanding players on the current roster. It is very obvious they have some of the best players in the entire NBA. Yao Ming, without doubts, is one of the most outstanding centers in NBA. Tracy McGrady is also one of the most outstanding players in his position. So Houston presents the best opportunity for me, and I am very excited to come to Houston to become its head coach.

TITAN: Then what are some of the similarities between Yao Ming and Brad Miller and Vlade Divac? Will he become better than Brad Miller and Vlade Divac?

ADELMAN: We definitely will find ways to do that. First of all, when he receives the ball near the free throw line, he will need to use his court vision. Our team will adopt a lot of ball movement to create space, inside cuts, penetration and slashing, baseline spins. I believe it will be very easy for him to spot teammates in the empty space with open looks. He will also continue to play in the post primarily to score but under certain situations, he will demonstrate his passing skills.

TITAN: You do think Yao Ming has already become the best center in the entire NBA league?

ADELMAN: Without a doubt, he is now the best center in the league. Shaquille O’Neal may still be the most physical and fierce center, but Yao Ming is still young. This is particularly so if we looked at his performance prior to his injury this past season. Yao Ming was then the NBA’s best center, particularly in the Western Conference. There were no other centers able to match up with him. If we only confine our discussion on centers, then it has to be Yao Ming and Shaquille O’Neal.

TITAN: In the Princeton offense, it stresses a lot on the speed of offense. With such a big guy in Yao Ming, will the overall speed of the team be affected?

ADELMAN: I don’t think the two areas are interrelated. Yao Ming will definitely have to continue to run, compete and play to the best of his capability, and he is well known to be a very diligent player. I think we need to maintain our rhythm in offense, and as long as the offensive rhythm is good, then it will not be too tiring for him and it will also guarantee reserving his stamina and physical strength. We will attempt to place him in his most comfortable zones and let him have as ample scoring opportunities as possible, and this will motivate him to run more.

TITAN: You said you will attempt to transform Yao Ming to become a better passing center. Does this imply his points scored per game will drop compared to previous season?

ADELMAN: Perhaps his points per game may drop. But as long as the team results become better, I don’t think it matters. And I think Yao Ming will also agree with me on this point. Of course, he will still be having a lot more scoring opportunities, and he will need to apply different means to score. (Basically) these are my current thoughts.

TITAN: So when he was still In Houston, how many times did you see him in training?

ADELMAN: I have watched him in training many times. And before that, I have also watched a lot of video of him during competition. I am now very much familiar with Yao Ming’s skills and game.

TITAN: Purely from your personal contacts with Yao Ming so far, what do you think are unique about his personality and character?

ADELMAN: He is an outstanding young man. He is very funny, humorous and outgoing. As a matter of fact, from such perspective, he is very similar to Vlade Divac. Personality wise, he is very friendly to every person around him. Once again, he’s extremely similar to Vlade Divac. Both treat you with the same kind of affinity and friendliness regardless of who you are.

TITAN: So has he invited you yet to dine at his restaurant?

ADELMAN (Laugh): I have not yet dined at his restaurant, but I’m already looking forward to eating a big dinner there.

TITAN: Do you have concerns on his shoulder injury?

ADELMAN: His shoulder is recuperating well, but he needs time to fully convalesce. Our team doctor told me that he has been recovering well, and as long as he takes good care and rest on it, there should not be too much of a problem. That is why he is absent from some of these training and tournaments of the Chinese national team this summer, as he himself does not want to be injured again.

TITAN: Have you met Tracy McGrady yet?

ADELMAN: Yes I have met with Tracy in Houston already. It was a very enjoyable meeting. I thought what is so fantastic and special about the Houston Rockets is that we have these two All-Star players, who have great character and personality, and can gel and mix together easily with other players. They both are willing to sacrifice their own personal statistics just so the team can win. This is so encouraging and inspiring as far as we are concerned.

TITAN: In your tactical system, can Tracy McGrady flourish to be a greater and better player?

ADELMAN: I really think he is a Godsend for our systems. While I was with the Portland Trailblazers, I had Clyde Drexler under me. I would think Tracy McGrady will function very similar to the then Clyde Drexler in the Portland Trailblazers. He will run, score, pass and penetrate to attack the basket…..omnipotent in all aspects of offensive basketball. Some people believe in our systems, Tracy McGrady will be able to raise his points scored per game, but certainly he does not care about this; he only hopes he can help the team to win more and advance further into the playoff.

TITAN: Then in your conversation with him, have you two talked about concrete goals for the new season?

ADELMAN: We have not gone into details on the subject. We have only communicated with each other, and (I let him know) that we need to make enhancements to this team in the new season, to let him and Yao Ming to score much more easier, and let other role players gel and integrate with the team much more easier, and let them get involved and play much more like a team.

TITAN: Then have you seen other members on this team?

ADELMAN: I am now only focusing on watching video of the team, and have not yet carried out face-to-face contact with the players. I have met the participating players in the summer league these past few days. Well, (I think we need) not worry as it will be at least more than 10 weeks before the preseason training camp commences.

TITAN: In the previous season, the Rockets lost to the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoff. But prior to the loss, many basketball critics and experts were of the opinions that the Rockets would be one of the serious championship contenders. Now, with the current Rockets under your coaching, do you think they can still keep up and remain in that list of serious championship contenders?

ADELMAN: We have a very big opportunity to become a contender. In the previous season, we managed to play Utah Jazz up to the 7th game, but regrettably lost it on our home court, and Utah Jazz finally reached the final of the Western Conference. But nevertheless, we need to prove it on the court (that we are still one of the serious championship contenders). I think we have the opportunity (to become one).

TITAN: In the past several seasons, the Rockets placed a lot of emphasis on its defense and were considered one of the best defensive teams in the entire league. Now with this change of head coach, the Rockets will become more offensive oriented. Do you think you could encounter some difficulties in the transformation of a defensive-minded team to an offensive-oriented one?

ADELMAN: We shall retain some of those good parts of last and previous seasons. I hope the Rockets will play as equally great defense as they used to do in previous seasons. I cannot think of any legitimate reasons why we cannot remain a great defensive team.

TITAN: Other than Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, who will possibly become the third offensive options for the Rockets?

ADELMAN: We hope we can find that 3rd option, but at present, we have not an answer yet, and therefore I cannot answer your question (The Rockets had not yet completed the transaction of the Argentine player, Luis Scola when this interview was conducted)

TITAN: There are many Chinese fans who like that Sacramento Kings team in the past. They played fantastic offense. Also many Chinese fans still remembered the great performance of that Portland Trailblazers team that played against the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Final. Now that you arrived at the Houston Rockets, how soon can you make this happen (to the Rockets)?

ADELMAN: We have now two great All-Star players on our team. I hope I can implement the necessary changes to this team as soon as I possibly can. There will be changes in how we are going to deploy Yao Ming. He will no longer be merely just parking under the low post, waiting to catch a ball to attack and score. He will have to increase his activities within the paint up to the free throw line. The reason for the increase of his activities in the zone is that he has the ability to make those mid-range jumpers. We are confident he can complete such assignments within the paint with flying colors. He will also need to pass the ball more. We shall try to dig out and utilize all his potentials and skills in various aspects of the game, and we are going to deploy him in much more areas than before.

TITAN: Can you tell our Chinese fans how far can the Houston Rockets advance in the playoff in the new season?