What the heck was 7-foot-6 Chinese center Yao Ming thinking after being cleared to enter the 2002 NBA draft?

	Yao Ming has already heard some tall tales about the NBA.

A. "I've never met this Mark Cuban guy, but an NBA owner who also works at a fast-food restaurant must understand the problems of the common workingman."

B. "I've never met this Shawn Kemp guy, but I have bumped into a few of his kids here in China."

C. "I've never been to New York, but I've seen some old Knick playoff games on ESPN Classic. Those fans at the Garden seem really supportive."

D. "I've never met this David Stern ... but everybody tells me I should never turn my back on him."

E. "I've never met this Jason Williams guy, but I can't figure out how he can be on trial for manslaughter and play for Memphis and be my biggest competition for the No. 1 pick in the draft."

F. "One guy I have met is that damn Jerry Krause. But I guess I can live with another three months of being stalked by Crumbs, if that's what I've got to do to get my millions. I thought it was bad when he followed me to Shanghai and started shifting through my trash in Beijing. I can only imagine what that desperate little fat man will do if the Bulls don't get the No. 1 pick in the draft."