For weeks, the Rockets had targeted Bostjan Nachbar with their second first-round pick. Then Nachbar put on a show that left the Rockets concerned only that he would be gone before they were up with the 15th pick.

But as impressive as Nachbar's performance was to the Rockets, he was more sold on the Rockets.

He checked flight schedules from Houston to his home in Slovenia. He imagined himself filling a wing with Yao Ming sending an outlet pass and Steve Francis handling the ball on a break. He penned a letter to general manager Carroll Dawson and coach Rudy Tomjanovich to thank them for considering him, the first letter of its type they had ever received and the only one he sent.

Rumors even circulated around the NBA that Nachbar saved his best for the Rockets' workout, not showing as much in other stops as he put on display Sunday on the Westside Tennis Club court.