Maybe, just maybe the league never made that kind of point at all. The NBA reviews tape on a nightly basis. All NBA officials during the regular season (I am sure it continues in the playoffs to some extent) have a meeting nightly with video and conference about good plays and bad plays. It is possible that many plays come up featuring Yao Ming. Maybe he was getting away with things the league felt were illegal.
I always find it funny when people say the league officials turn a blind eye to what the stars do and try not to call fouls in their favor. Yao Ming is supposed to be a star right? I though Duncan was a star as well? Was that foul in the SA-Denver game the other night a good call that fouled out Duncan? The NBA conspiracy theorist cannot have it both ways. Either the league protects the stars or the target the stars. I guess the NBA wants LA or New York to win the championship. I almost forgot neither team made the playoffs. But the Detroit Pistons is a team that has no real superstar and a player that got T'd up more than he won playoff games and this is the current NBA Champion.
Peace