Good call. That means he has to stay out to avoid embarassement. I don't know man. I think he should forget about the ASG and just come back whenever he is healthy. We need him.
I think the rest of that article is more important than just the All star mention: Rockets' Artest, McGrady closer to returning from injuries Posted Jan 22 2009 5:04PM HOUSTON (AP) -- Ron Artest and Tracy McGrady practiced with the Houston Rockets on Thursday and said they were close to recovering from injuries that have nagged them most of the season. The Rockets open a three-game road trip at Indiana on Friday night, but neither Artest nor McGrady can say when they'll return to the lineup. The team's medical staff and coach Rick Adelman have input in the final decision, both players said. McGrady has missed 15 games this season with soreness in his left knee, the aftermath of offseason surgery. He sat out the second game of Houston's past four back-to-back sets and hasn't played since Jan. 9. McGrady said he'll miss Friday's game and won't play in the All-Star Game if he's voted onto the West roster. "I felt pretty good today after practice; I'll try to get another one in on Saturday and we'll see where it goes," McGrady said. "I'm not ready to play in a regular game with my team, so All-Star night, thinking about that, it's not even a question." Artest has missed 12 games this season with a bone bruise in his right ankle, an injury he suffered in a Nov. 17 game in Oklahoma City. He tried to play through it, but aggravated it and finally decided to sit out until it healed. "I don't think I made a smart decision by playing," he said. "I did a little bit too much 'being a man.' I should've just taken time off." Tests this week showed no stress fracture, clearing Artest to go full speed on Thursday. "The pain I'm playing on right now is nowhere near what I had when I first had the injury," Artest said. "That's a good sign." Houston went 4-1 on a five-game homestand without both players. The Rockets also beat Oklahoma City on Jan. 9 without Artest and Boston on Jan. 7 without McGrady. Based on Thursday's practice, Adelman thought both would return soon, but he couldn't set a timetable. "They both looked like they were moving good, they didn't have any problems," Adelman said. "They both came out with a purpose, to show that they've been working. It's obvious that they've been working and they moved well." Yao Ming has carried the offensive load in their absence, averaging 22 points in the five home games. Von Wafer has filled in for McGrady, averaging 17 points in 10 games this month. He made a 3-pointer and scored 21 points in Houston's 108-99 win over Utah on Wednesday night. Adelman is still eager to get Artest and McGrady back in the fold, though he said the Rockets may need some time to adjust to a new rotation. "We're going to have to figure that out when they're both ready to play, as to how we're going to do that," Adelman said. "We're on a little bit of a run here. I don't know how we're going to approach it." McGrady isn't concerned about how the rest of the Rockets will react when he and Artest return. "The most important thing is we just get out there and see what happens," he said.
i like that adelman seems to be taking charge of the situation. i'm getting excited about seeing them all together finally.
Probably a smart move, even though I'd like to see him play...but if T-mac does get voted on as a starter but doesn't play, does that still count as an All Star appearance for him? (meaning it will be his 8th all star game)
[rquoter] "I felt pretty good today after practice; I'll try to get another one in on Saturday and we'll see where it goes," McGrady said. "I'm not ready to play in a regular game with my team, so All-Star night, thinking about that, it's not even a question."[/rquoter] Rereading that quote, McGrady may have just meant that he's not thinking about the all-star game at this stage, since right now he's just concerned about being ready to play in regular games.
its not the All NBA team game christ's sake, its the all-star game, its who the Fans want to see, its that simple. There are things that are more important in the NBA season such as the Playoffs and the NBA finals.
If he doesn't play in the All-Star game then he automatically has to sit out the 1st game after the All-Star break.
I've never said this to anyone o cf.net but here goes: you're a hater. str8 up hater. wtf would playing in this asg mean to his next contract? you think the asg - a single asg to a multi-asg player - has more weight in contract negotiations than his regular and post-season performances? hate, hate, hate. haters gonna hate.
I'm just curious. If hes healthy and all and gets voted in as starter, does he have a choice to not play???
As well as I understand of T-mac, he will come back play several high-score games, as if she is a legit all-star, sure I bet she will not miss that. Who dont like glories, even it is being fade away?
Aren't you a hater? This is a good thing to rest his knee, get in some shape and go for a playoff run. Same McGrady proved to everyone seven times if you talk about All Star.
We would run him out of town if he played in that game. His best bet is hiding out and not being seen during that weekend and coming back strong this season.
Agree, I wish he would said something to the effect, I'm ready to get back and help my teammates any way I can by executing the offense as designed.
I think that everyone who's voted in the allstar game should play unless he's injured and absolutely can't participate. If Tmac can come back and play some games before the AS game, he should not sit out the game. Although he doesn't deserve to be an all-star this year, he should show up if the fans want to see him. A few minutes in the AS won't tire him out.
