All-Star Game

Time: 5:52 p.m. ET
From: Greg Sheldon in Gainesville, Fla.
Question: Does Penny Hardaway look at all hampered by his healing hamstrings?

From The Zone's Phil Green: I haven't noticed anything. He is one of the few players who have yet to come out for shoot-around but he's suited up and ready to play as far as I know.

Time: 5:50 p.m. ET
From The Zone's Jason Yellin: The players are splitting into different groups and are taking all sorts of photos. Gordon Gund just arrived a few minutes ago as well as Ozzie Smith. Everyone seems to be getting ready while Barkley and Commissioner David Stern are chatting with their arms around each other.

Time: 5:37 p.m. ET
From: Mel Namleg in New York
b>Question: Will Hakeem Olajuwon play a lot of minutes in today's game or will the coach rest him as rumored?

From The Zone's Phil Green: It's up to Rudy Tomjanovich. He said he will keep an eye on Hakeem and play him as much as he feels he should. Olajuwon said he doesn't mind, it's up to his coach. Obviously Rudy T doesn't want to wear him out though.

Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
From The Zone's Phil Green: The first few guys on the floor were Gugliotta and Gatling followed by Kemp running out. In the West locker room, Barkley's talking about players and his refusal to dress for the team photo. Instead he'll wear a suit and mentioned that each player gets $12,000 more if they win so they better be diving for loose balls. Early arrivals in the seats were Dave Cowens and Jerry Colangelo.

In the East, Rice has decided to go with red Gatorade. Jordan has been mobbed by the media. He said he slept through all but the last three minutes of the Rookie Game. Vin Baker is lying on the floor on his back reading the program. After the media cleared out, Jordan went back into the training room with, presumably, his two sons.

Time: 5:18 p.m. ET
From: Donny Langberg in New Jersey
Question: Are there any early favorites for the MVP?

From The Zone's Jason Yellin: I just talked to some of the players. Kevin Garnett seems to think either Jordan or Hakeem will get it. Payton says it'll be whoever plays the best. Michael Jordan said earlier that he hopes Terrell Brandon will steal the show.

Time: 5:10 p.m. ET
From The Zone's Phil Green: News out of the West locker room. When Barkley heard that Ewing and Mourning got dressed he was surprised so he might dress as well. He was also busy denying that he played golf on media day. The three Sonics lockers are next to each other as well as Stockton and Malone's, but not the Wolves' Garnett and Gugliotta, probably because they're rookies to the game. Eddie Jones is eating a banana and Richmond is talking smack saying he's as tall as Charles Barkley.

In the East locker room, Jordan is in the training room getting taped. Ewing asked sarcastically if the mdia was waiting for Jordan to come out. Bill Walton is talking to Laettner and Webber about the game.

Time: 4:50 p.m. ET
From: Chris George in Seattle, Wash.
Question: What is Shawn Kemp's demeanor coming into the game based on the unfair treatment by the media for his alleged drinking incident recently? Besides missing media day, have you noticed any change in his behavior?

From The Zone's Jason Yellin: He's very relaxed sitting around with his teammates, Payton and Schrempf, as with the rest of the West All-Stars. That's about all we can say. Hakeem is in the locker room getting a rub-down and other players are starting to make their appearance. In the East locker room, Vin Baker was the first guy to be dressed. Ewing and Glen Rice have been telling jokes. Jordan's not in there yet. The MVP trophy was just walked right past us here at mid-court. The arena is slowly starting to fill in. Dunks of the week are being played on the scoreboard above.

Time: 4:45 p.m. ET
From: Theo Yzerman in Chicago, Ill.
Question: With all the injuries, who is going to start?

From the Zone's Phil Green: For the West it's going to be Kemp and Malone up front, Olajuwon in the middle and Payton and Stockton in the backcourt. For the East, Hill and Pippen are the forwards with Mutombo starting at center. In the backcourt will be Anfernee Hardaway and Michael Jordan.

Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
From The Zone's Phil Green: I'm sitting here on the Eastern Conference bench. David Sanborne, Brian McKnight were practicing the national anthem about 15 minutes ago. We also had Michael Jordan signing autographs for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Right now the floor's getting cleaned and ready to roll. The locker rooms will be open in about 10 minutes.