5
this situation seems to have gotten extremely bizarre -- I mean this is probably the first time in NBA history teams were worried about appeasing (or at least maintaining solid relations with) another country. in particular a country which already has some fairly strained relations with our own country. (I doubt America, or Americans will ever feel particularly comfortable dealing with a communist nation)
there is so much brew-ha ha surrounding the #1 pick, and I for one don't feel good for the Houston franchise. it seems they have to balance their own team needs with requirement to "make nice" with the Chinese.
taking Yao Ming #1 and keeping him, is the simplest solution, and it makes the least waves... but it's hard to conclusively believe that Yao Ming is going to be the player of most benefit to the Houston team.
i for one don't buy it -- and Houston may even have to delude themselves into buying it. i would hope that a professional sport franchise doesn't make their decisions that way (even if it does benefit the franchise I hold most dear) -- and therefore give it a 5.