Pau Gasol of the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers and rookie Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers are homeward bound as the NBA announced the list of 14 players that have been selected by the coaches as reserves for the 2011 All-Star Game.
Gasol and Griffin join the Lakersâ€
Kobe Bryant, who was voted to start, as representatives of the host cityâ€
s NBA franchises during the 60th NBA All-Star Game, which will be played at Staples Center in LA on February 20.
However there was a quick reprieve for Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, who was initially omitted despite leading the league in rebounding with over 15 boards per game. The Team USA star was called up as Commissioner David Stern named a replacement for the injured Yao Ming.
Joining Gasol and Griffin as reserves on the West squad are the Dallas Mavericksâ€
Dirk Nowitzki, the Oklahoma City Thunderâ€
s Russell Westbrook – who joins Griffin as the only first-timers in this yearâ€
s game – the San Antonio Spursâ€
Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, and the Utah Jazzâ€
s Deron Williams.
Griffin becomes the first rookie to play in an NBA All-Star Game since the Houston Rocketsâ€
centre Yao was selected to start in 2003. Duncan and Bryant have been selected to 13 straight All-Star games.
In the Eastern Conference, Kevin Garnett – who makes a record-equalling 14th appearance – is joined by three Celtics teammates — Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo. Rounding out the East squad are the Atlanta Hawksâ€
Al Horford and Joe Johnson, and the Miami Heatâ€
s Chris Bosh.
“It matters to me, I would’ve been really disappointed,†Bosh said. “Guys will say they want the time off but then if they don’t call your name, you’ll be a little tight. It is still getting the accolade and the award and knowing for another year you’re an All Star.”
Voted to start for the West were the Denver Nuggetsâ€
Carmelo Anthony, Yao, Bryant, and the New Orleans Hornetsâ€
Chris Paul. The East starters are comprised of the Chicago Bulls Derrick Rose, the Heatâ€
s LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, the New York Knicksâ€
Amarâ€
e Stoudemire, and the Orlando Magicâ€
s Dwight Howard.
The Celticsâ€
Doc Rivers earned the right to coach the East squad while San Antonioâ€
s Gregg Popovich will lead the West.
Photos: NBA/Getty
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