Celtics' Allen named NBA All-Star

Feb 14, 2008 - 4:15 AM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The Boston Celtics' "Big Three" will be represented in New Orleans this weekend.

NBA commissioner David Stern announced Wednesday night that Celtics guard Ray Allen was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team as an injury replacement for the Washington Wizards forward Caron Butler.

"It's a great feeling," Allen said. "I think there is so much speculation on who is going to make it, who didn't make it, snubs, whatever you want to call it. We spoke about individual accolades, and the great thing about this team so far is we didn't care who did what on this team and everybody is contributing in some form or fashion."

It will be the eighth NBA All-Star appearance for Allen, who joins teammates Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett on the squad, although Garnett - the leading vote-getter - will sit out the festivities due to an abdominal strain.

"When I wasn't nominated for All-Star at the time I was happy for Paul (Pierce) and KG (Kevin Garnett), and I go and get some rest for the second half of the season. But I'm ecstatic to be an eight-time All-Star. "I definitely feel privileged and I'm in a great situation (in Boston)."

Allen is averaging 18.5 points per game this season for Boston, which owns the best record in the NBA at 40-9. The 32-year-old guard ranks third in the NBA with a 91.6 percent free-throw percentage.

"To have so many players of the Boston Celtics' representation so far with the first half of the season that we've had, you can walk around and enjoy the success that we've had and let people talk about us and make a fuss over us and then get back to work in the second half," Allen said.

Butler was set to make his second straight All-Star appearance before a hip flexor injury forced him out of the Wizards' past five games. The sixth-year swingman is averaging 21.4 points and 2.4 steals this season.

"I am disappointed that I am going to miss the All-Star Game," Butler said. "I feel it is best for me to get the proper rest in preparation for the second half of the season. I am honored to be selected as an All-Star. I will still enjoy the weekend with my teammate Antawn Jamison and my fellow NBA All-Stars."