<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Houston - Milwaukee Bucks point guard T.J. Ford did not hesitate for a second to respond when asked if he wanted to play in the game between the rookies and the second-year players during the National Basketball Association's all-star weekend. "Definitely I do," he said after practice Tuesday at the Toyota Center. "I want to come out and have fun. I never attended all-star weekend. My first two seasons I didn't go, so I'm definitely looking forward to it." The rosters for the rookie and sophomore teams are to be announced today by the league and Ford was considered a front-runner to be selected, as was Bucks rookie center Andrew Bogut. Even though Ford is in his third season, he is eligible to play on the sophomore team because he sat out all last season with a spinal injury. Because Ford has been bothered by foot and hamstring injuries this season, some thought a weekend of rest and relaxation might do Ford more good than taking part in the all-star activities. "I don't need any rest," Ford said. It would be a natural for the league to showcase Ford and Bogut during all-star weekend Feb. 17-19 in Houston because Ford's comeback from the spinal injury is one of the feel-good stories in the league this season and because the event will take place in Ford's hometown. Bogut was the No. 1 overall pick in the draft last summer. Although Ford was excited about the prospect of being part of the rookie-sophomore game, Bogut took a more reserved approach toward all the hoopla that surrounds all-star weekend. He went through a similar experience last June. "It'll be all right," Bogut said when asked about the possibility of playing on the rookie team. "I'm not big on all-star type things. I went through that with the draft." Ford was looking forward to all-star weekend so much that he didn't want to limit his participation to just the rookie-sophomore game. "I'm trying to get in the dunk contest," he said. "Maybe you can help me out on that. Tell the NBA to give me a call." Unfortunately for Ford, he didn't make the dunk contest roster. Of a more immediate concern for Ford and the Bucks, though, is their game tonight against the Houston Rockets. Anytime Ford is in Houston, it's news, and a local media contingent turned out at the Bucks' practice to get an update on how Ford is progressing this season.</div> Source
