On the day of the All-Star Game, Jordan's starting position was still up in the air.
ABC Television Station portrayed Carter, who was reluctant to give up his starting spot, as a villain and played down the fact that Jordan had fewer votes than McGrady, Iverson, and Yu Fei.
Commentators believed that as a player from North Carolina, Carter was obligated to step aside for his senior, not because he wasn't worthy of starting, but because people didn't want to see Jordan without the recognition he deserved in his final All-Star Game.
Yu Fei genuinely thought this was a pure case of moral hijacking. If "people" really felt Jordan should start, they should have voted for him more. The voting results showed that people preferred Carter, even though he played little this season. Were those who voted for Carter not human? Shouldn't their wish to see Carter start in the All-Star Game be respected?