It isn't realistic to say the Rockets had their eyes set specifically on Yao Ming. They may have tanked to get a high lottery pick but they couldn't have expected much of a shot at Yao. We had an 8% chance of getting #1. If #1 went to the right team, we may have had a shot at Yao at #2, giving us a 16% chance. How many games should one throw for a 16% chance at getting Yao Ming? Assuming RT and CD are rational actors, I don't see them setting their sights on one guy. If they were tanking, they were doing it because they knew they could get someone good in the 1-8 area.
