George Postolos, president and chief executive officer of the Houston Rockets, is resigning to form a company to help groups with the acquisition of sports franchises.

"It's an exciting time," Postolos said in a story for Tuesday's Houston Chronicle.

"I've been here eight seasons. It's time for the next challenge," Postolos said. "I'm ready for the next challenge to do the kinds of things we've done here, but to find another situation to do that on the principal side of the business."

Postolos planned to announce his decision Tuesday. He said his resignation would be effective June 30.

According to the New York Daily News, Larry Brown is looking at bringing aboard Patrick Ewing, currently with the Houston Rockets, as an assistant coach.  Ewing has wanted to return to the New York area, where he recently purchased a home.

If Ewing joins Brown's staff, that could mean that Brown is trying to move out two of Thomas' close associates, Mark Aguirre and George Glymph. Both Aguirre and Glymph came to New York two weeks after Thomas was hired and Brown inherited the two plus Herb Williams.

Of course, there is a strong chance that Brown will not be back. Brown's agent, Joe Glass, said that his client has no interest in negotiating a buyout, while sources indicate that Dolan would not hesitate to fire Brown and simply pay him the $40 million that Brown is owed over the next four years.

Rockets' GM Carroll Dawson will represent the Rockets at Tuesday's NBA Draft Lottery. In 2002, Steve Francis represented the club when they received the top pick, who became Yao Ming, a player that most experts had as the consensus top player on the board.

This season that top player is more difficult to name.

"I don't think anybody can say (their preferences) until they bring some of these guys in," Dawson said. "There's not always a Yao Ming, Duncan or (Hakeem) Olajuwon. Sometimes it's pretty close. Sometimes who gets first pick has a lot to do with who goes first.

"It's just close. No one is just really standing out, knocking everybody's socks off. The first five are relatively close, and all are pretty good players."

Mike James was traded by the Rockets before the 2005-2006 season and now he ants to return to Houston.

"Houston is my first choice," James said. "Seriously, Houston is home. My wife is from Houston. We just bought our house in Houston. I want to go home."

"I would love to go straight from my home to the arena," James said. "If I can do that the rest of my career, that's what I want to do.

"I'm back in the gym already. I'm back working out with John Lucas already. I know if I want something better, I can't do the same things to get different results. I have to do different things to get different results. Now I'm boxing this summer. I'm training in different ways because I want to be better.

"This season, every part of my game got better. Now, my main focus is coming back to H-Town."

According to a report in the Houston Chronicle, Rockets forward Juwan Howard was accused Wednesday of shoplifting a $2,000 pair of sunglasses from a Miami-area optical store.

Miami police are investigating the claim, but no charges have been filed and Howard has denied any wrongdoing.

"I'm aware of the situation and have spoken to my attorney," Howard said in a statement. "I will vigorously defend myself and (I) am confident I'll be cleared of these baseless charges."

According to the Associated Press, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming said he's pleased with the recovery of his injured left foot but is still wearing a protective boot and is unsure when he'll resume basketball drills.

Yao broke his left foot April 10 in a game against Utah and sat out the final four games of the season. He underwent surgery that week to repair the fifth metatarsal bone in his foot.

"It's getting better every day," Yao told Houston television station KRIV. "Actually, I can walk without crutches. I get treatment every day, upper body lifting and some [bike riding]."

Yao's agent has said he hopes the 7-foot-6 center can be back on the court in June and prepared to play for China in this summer's world championships.