Hawks G Johnson named as East All-Star replacement

Feb 14, 2007 - 8:08 PM LAS VEGAS (Ticker) - Jason Kidd's pain is Joe Johnson's gain.

Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks was named Wednesday as an injury replacement for the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

The selection was made by NBA commissioner David Stern, who has already chosen one-third of the West's 12-man roster.

Kidd, the eight-time All-Star point guard of the New Jersey Nets, was forced to pull out of Sunday's All-Star Game due to a strained lower back.

That ended up giving Johnson, a sixth-year shooting guard, the chance to play in his first All-Star Game.

"I'm happy and excited to be named to the Eastern Conference team," Johnson said. "Obviously, I'm looking forward to my first All-Star experience. It's a tremendous honor and accomplishment for me, my coaches, teammates and the organization."

Johnson is also the first member of the Hawks to be selected to an All-Star Game since forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim in 2002.

"This is great news for Joe and the organization," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "He's put himself in this position by playing like an All-Star all season long. We feel he's one of the top players in the league, and this selection validates it."

Johnson is 10th in the league in scoring at 25.1 points per game and is also averaging 4.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds. He has recorded 30 or more points 16 times.

Johnson is the first injury replacement for the Eastern Conference. The West has lost four players to injuries - center Yao Ming, forward Carlos Boozer and guards Steve Nash and Allen Iverson. Stern selected forwards Carmelo Anthony of Denver and Josh Howard of Dallas, guard Ray Allen of Seattle and center Mehmet Okur of Utah as injury replacements.