Article was unclear on whether the agent thinks Yao will play or not. Sounds like he's making the trip though. I dont' see why. It doesn't help his popularity or anything. Yao doesn't think he'll play. T-mac doesn't think he'll play but thinks Yao will go just for the heck of it. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4501206.html Looking forward After seven reserves in each conference are selected by the coaches, NBA commissioner David Stern will choose an injury replacement for Yao. "I really wish I could have played, because the All-Star Game is for the fans, and I feel very honored to have received all those votes," Yao said. "I hope that I can get a chance again to attend next year's event in New Orleans. Right now, I am going to continue working hard to get back on the court as soon as possible to help my teammates as we try to make the playoffs." Yao had said Monday he was not going to attend the game and other events, remaining in Houston to concentrate on his rehabilitation. Yao's agent, John Huizinga, however said Thursday that Yao will move his workouts that weekend to Las Vegas and plans to make the trip. "He is going," Huizinga said. "Based on everything we know today about his rehab, we expect he will be able to go to the All-Star Game without compromising his rehab. He is planning to go. I would say when I spoke with the NBA I qualified his attendance with a statement that he would go unless something changed between now and then with his rehab that meant it would compromise his rehabilitation to go. "Yao's rehab is his No. 1 obligation right now. We don't see any conflicts at this point with everything we know, to do his rehab and go to Las Vegas." Along with Yao, McGrady and Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan were named Western Conference starters. Shaquille O'Neal, who has played in only five games this season, was voted in as the Eastern Conference starting center along with Heat teammate Dwyane Wade. Chris Bosh held off Jermaine O'Neal for the forward spot next to James. Gilbert Arenas, the NBA's second-leading scorer, passed Vince Carter in the last two weeks to earn the other Eastern Conference guard spot with Wade. James was the All-Star Game MVP last season, with McGrady returning after scoring a Rockets record 36 points in the game at Toyota Center. Out to have fun "It's not necessarily more important this year (because Yao will not play)," McGrady said. "Its definitely great to have two All-Stars, but I can't really represent the Rockets any differently because he can't be there. I'm just going to go out there and have fun. I'm sure Yao will be around that weekend. "I'm just going to enjoy the weekend. I do enjoy it. You have all these different personalities. You face these guys night in, night out. You try to get to know them for the weekend and see what type of guys they are. It's a midseason party, chops it up a little bit. We all have fun. "After that, after that weekend, it's time to really buckle down and get down to business."
Let the man go and have a great time with he's peers. first people were complaining about tracy not going, now yao. let the big fella have some fun.
Unless it's your first or second time, going to the All-Star game is more of an obligation to the fans than a good time. I would rather he just stayed home and got some more rest. Oh well. Yao is always looking out for the little people.
He's not gonna play, he'll probably do promotional stuff and take pictures and all that crap the allstar weekend is fun
C'mon, a man can do whatever he wants as long as he's responsible. He's not going to jeapordize his season. A broken bone that should be nearly healed around that time, shouldn't prevent the guy from just going and enjoying himself.
Well, Yao Ming has earlier indicated he'd rather skip going to Las Vegas for the All Stars Week-end as late as Monday. But then here comes this unilateral leak from John Huizinga of Team Yao that they might move his rehab to Las Vegas and that he will travel to Las Vegas. I tend to think it is very likely that Team Yao is under some pressure from the endorsers that for commercial reasons/interests Yao Ming has to be there in Las Vegas, that Yao Ming has to alter his plan to stay behind in Houston for his rehab. Anyway, IMHO, it should do no harm, and we should not grudge the Big Man a day or 2 off for some fun, show his face to the fans at the All Stars Week-end, enjoy himself at some of the shows there or have a few Black Jack games in the casinos, and continues with his rehabilitation there in the gym of the hotels.
Yeah seriously, since when has anyone here doubted Yao's work ethic? He will be ready to come back as early as he possibly can, and be as ready as he can be. He's not a 12 year old kid that needs fans to tell him to stay home.
Don't forget TMAC is going to have the greatest party ever, and I am sure YAO wouldn't wanna miss it.
