"Former Rockets center Yao Ming these days will spend more time at the games of his Shanghai Sharks than at Toyota Center, but his uniform number will likely make its way to the arena rafters. Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, speaking after Tuesday's unveiling of the All-Star ballot, said he expects to retire Yao's No. 11. "Sometime probably, yes," Alexander said. Alexander touched on a variety of topics after the day's ceremony, from his nearly two-decade tenure as Rockets owner to the impact James Harden could have on acquiring another top player. On Harden's potential to attract free agents: "I know it helps. Even in the brief time I've been around him, he always talks, I just spoke to that guy, I just spoke to that guy. He speaks to a lot of major players in the league. It's a big plus. How big, you really don't know." On NBA commissioner David Stern stepping down February, 2014: "You know, 30 years is a long time to be in one place to do one job. You never see any corporate guy last 30 years almost. It was time for him. He had a good, long career. I'm happy for him in his retirement." On beginning his 20th season as Rockets owner: "Looking at the pictures, I was so much younger. That's what I think about. Longevity is something you can't really think about beforehand," he said. "Afterwards, it's really amazing personally to own a team that is such a magnitude to a city and an area. It's hard to imagine in a way."" Read more: http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2012/11/alexander-rockets-plan-to-retire-yaos-no-11/
