Shaq to lead All-Star reserves in front of home crowd

Jan 30, 2009 - 8:04 AM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The All-Star Game follows Shaquille O'Neal wherever he goes. This time, it did not have to go very far to find him.

The Phoenix Suns center on Thursday was named to the All-Star team for the 15th time in his illustrious career, earning the honor with his fourth NBA franchise. And for the second time, he will take the floor in front of his home fans, as the game will be played in Phoenix.

"I have been doing (All-Star Games) a long time and I know what to do and what not to do and just try to take it easy," O'Neal said. "I can stay at my crib, my house and have a good time. I am always the host."

O'Neal headlines the Western Conference reserves, which were announced after being selected by the league's coaches. The 36-year-old veteran is averaging 18.2 points and 9.1 rebounds for the Suns this season - hardly reminiscent of the lofty numbers he put up in his prime, but still enough to earn him yet another trip to the annual mid-season celebration.

He will back up starting center Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets.

Shaq previously made four All-Star appearances for the Orlando Magic, seven with the Los Angeles Lakers and three with the Miami Heat. In 2004, his last campaign with the Lakers, he gave the Staples Center crowd a fond early farewell at the All-Star Game, posting 24 points and 11 boards en route to MVP honors in a 136-132 victory for the West.

He missed out on the festivities last season for the first time - excluding the lockout-shortened 1999 campaign.

"Last year, I was banged up and really didn't play many games and didn't deserve it," he said. "I have always been the type of player that likes to earn what I am getting."

Though O'Neal no longer is the dominant inside force he was in his prime, he has enjoyed something of a career renaissance this season after seeing his production slip in each of the last three campaigns. In new coach Terry Porter's halfcourt-oriented system, the Suns have run their offense through Shaq, and he has capitalized with a team-high 18 double-doubles.

"I am feeling pretty good and playing pretty well," Shaq said. "Steve (Nash), Amare and Grant ( Hill) have been looking for me, so I am just trying to do the same thing I have been doing my whole career, just trying to be consistent."

O'Neal's prominence in Phoenix's offensive attack reportedly has not sat well with disgruntled power forward Amare Stoudemire, but Shaq now will have to play second fiddle to his frontcourt teammate - for one night, at least. Stoudemire was named an All-Star starter for the first time.

Of course, the All-Star game will not just be a hometown affair for the Suns' superstars. O'Neal will be joined off the bench by six other All-Star veterans, as no first-timers will be on the Western Conference roster this time around.

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, the league's fifth-leading scorer at 25.7 points per contest, earned his eighth consecutive selection, while Denver Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups earned his fourth straight trip - but first for the West after three appearances for the Eastern Conference as a member of the Detroit Pistons.

Rising stars Brandon Roy of the Portland Trail Blazers and David West of the New Orleans Hornets made it for the second straight year, San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker was selected for the third time in his career and Lakers forward Pau Gasol got the nod for the second time.

Roy has carried the Blazers into playoff contention as they look to snap a five-year postseason drought. He leads the club with 22.4 points per game, including a 52-point outburst in a December 18 victory over the Suns.

That single-game scoring effort has been bested only by Parker's 55-point showing in a win over Minnesota on November 5.

While there are no newcomers on the list out West, a trio of All-Star novices were named to the Eastern Conference squad. Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger and New Jersey Nets point guard Devin Harris both were selected for the first time, as they have carried their respective teams thanks to breakout seasons.

In his fourth NBA campaign, Granger has emerged as one of the most dangerous and versatile scorers in the league, displaying an ability to score from anywhere on the court. His 25.8 points per game rank fourth in the NBA.

"I think this is absolutely great for a young man who has really dedicated himself 12 months a year to becoming better and better," Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said. "I think it's wonderful for the franchise to have an All-Star, and we're all very, very proud of Danny being named to the All-Star team."

Harris, in his first full season with the Nets, has pushed the team into playoff contention despite a dry spell as of late. The 6-3, 185-pounder has established himself as one of the most explosive guards in the league, attacking the basket with the league's best - to the tune of 21.6 points and 9.7 free-throw attempts per game.

Toronto big man Chris Bosh, averaging 23.2 points and 9.7 boards, was selected for the fourth straight season despite the Raptors' struggles. The rest of the reserves all can be found at the top of the East's playoff picture.

Orlando's Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson - the third and final first-timer in the bunch - both were picked after leading the Magic to a 34-10 record. That gives Orlando three players on the All-Star team, the most of any club.

"I like this game so much; it's a great honor," Nelson said. "We believe in each other, and it's been my teammates who put me in the situations to be successful like I have been. ... We have three great players going, and you also have (Hedo Turkoglu), who has a great case to be there and I think he should have gone. I thought he got snubbed last year, too."

Rounding out the list are Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson, the leading scorer for a team that currently sits at fourth in the conference standings, and reigning NBA Finals MVP Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics. This marks the third selection for Johnson and the seventh for Pierce.

As usual, the case could be made for several other players who missed the cut this time. Minnesota Timberwolves forward-center Al Jefferson - who averages more points and rebounds than All-Star big men such as Stoudemire, Gasol, O'Neal, Tim Duncan, Yao and Kevin Garnett - was left off the squad, largely as a result of his team's 16-28 record.

Deron Williams, whose 10.2 assists per game rank second in the league behind MVP candidate Chris Paul, and forward Paul Millsap of the Utah Jazz also were not selected. Williams, despite being considered among the league's top two or three point guards, still has not appeared in an All-Star Game in his four seasons, while Millsap has filled in for injured All-Star Carlos Boozer with 23 double-doubles in 27 starts with .

Second-year swingman Kevin Durant, the No. 2 overall pick of last year's draft, has enjoyed a breakout season with 24.8 points per contest, but his Oklahoma City Thunder are among the worst teams in the NBA.

Over in the East, former perennial All-Star Vince Carter of the Nets missed out for the second straight season, as did Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams and Washington Wizards forward Antawn Jamison.