CHN - Yao `ain’t nothing but a hound dog’

HOUSTON (NBA) - Yao Ming has had ample opportunity to practice his singing while he recovers from a leg injury.

And the Chinese national team star is just practicing any old lyrics, either.

"Viva Las Vegas!" bellowed Yao at the Toyota Center recently in his best imitation of Elvis Presley.

The 7ft 5in basketball icon was actually taping a promotional spot for the upcoming NBA All-Star Weekend.

When asked by the Houston Chronicle if there was a Chinese equivalent to Elvis as a national icon and personality, Yao said nothing.

But then when someone pointed at him, he laughed and said: "Me?"

Then, while shaking his head, Yao said: "No, please. I'm big enough."

There is good news regarding the fractured tibia injury which is forcing Yao to miss the the forthcoming All-Star Game.

"The bone scan shows it's improving," Rockets trainer Keith Jones said.

"It's healing. There's no displacement. Everything is still in place, so we keep going on our same route we're going.

"We started the pool workouts. We keep adding a little more and bringing him up slow. He's feeling good. So we have to make sure he's not too overzealous and tries to do too much because that's Yao. “

Yao picked up the injury in a game on December 23.

FIBA