• F Tracy McGrady (HOU)
  In his sixth all-star appearance, and fifth as a starter, Tracy makes his second start for the western team, but this time as the forward.
• F Tim Duncan (SA)
  Duncan makes his eighth appearance, and seventh as a starter, beating out Kevin Garnett at forward this year.
• C Yao Ming (HOU)
  Once again Yao was the leading vote getter in all-star balloting, edging Kobe Bryant by 71,107 with 2,342,738 votes to Bryant's 2,271,631.
• G Kobe Bryant (LAL)
  Kobe makes his eighth start in eight appearances.
• G Steve Nash (Pho)
  Nash makes his first all-star start after three consecutive appearances coming off the bench.

• F LeBron James (CLE)
  Lebron makes his second straight all-star appearance, this time as a forward, replacing long-time starter Vince Carter.
• F Jermaine O'Neal (Ind)
  Jermaine returns to the staring lineup after a one year absence, but will not be able to play due to injury.
• C Shaquille O'Neal (MIA)
  Shaq makes his 13th all-star appearance.
• G Dwyane Wade (Mia)
  Dwyane joins Lebron in the starting lineup for the first time in his second all-star appearance.
• G Allen Iverson (PHI)
  Iverson makes his seventh straight start.

The contestants for the Skills Competition, which is a timed event featuring dribbling, passing, and shooting skills are: LeBron James (Cle), Steve Nash (Pho), Chris Paul (NO) and Dwyane Wade (Mia). The contestants for the 3-Point Shootout contest are: Ray Allen (Sea), Raja Bell (Pho), Chauncey Billups (Det), Dirk Nowitzki (Dal), Quentin Richardson (Pho) and Jason Terry (Dal). The Slam Dunk competition will feature last year's winner, Josh Smith (Atl) who will be challenged by Andre Iguodala (Phi), Nate Robinson (NY) and Hakim Warrick (Mem).

All-Star 2005

February 20, 2005
Denver, CO

• F Kevin Garnett (MIN)
  Garnett makes his seventh start for the west, in his eighth appearance.
• F Tim Duncan (SA)
  Duncan makes his seventh appearance, and sixth as a starter.
• C Yao Ming (HOU)
  Yao was the leading vote getter in all-star history with 2,558,278 in his third straight start.
• G Kobe Bryant (LAL)
  Kobe makes his seventh start in seven appearances.
• G Tracy McGrady (HOU)
  Tracy makes his first start for the western team, but its his fifth appearance, three times as a starter for the eastern team.

• G Ray Allen (Sea)
  Ray plays in his fifth all-star game, his second for the Sonics. He also won the Long Distance Shootout in 2001.
• G Manu Ginobili (SA)
  Ginobili makes his all-star debut.
• G Steve Nash (Pho)
  Nash plays in his third straight all-star game, but his first for Phoenix, after previously playing for the Mavericks.
• F Rashard Lewis (Sea)
  Rashard is the second Sonic on the team, and deservedly so as they are one of the elite teams this season.
• F Shawn Marion (Pho)
  Marion is in his second all-star game ('03).
• C Dirk Nowitzki (Dal)
  Dirk makes his fourth straight all-star appearance.
• C Amare Stoudemire (Pho)
  Amare, the third player from the Suns on the team, makes his all-star debut.

• F Vince Carter (NJ)
  Vince makes his fifth straight start, but the previous four, he was also the leading vote getter amongst all all-stars.
• F Grant Hill (ORL)
  Grant returns to the game for the first time since 2000, after several injury plagued seasons.
• C Shaquille O'Neal (MIA)
  Shaq received the second most votes of any all-star, of all time with 2,488,089 in his twelfth appearance.
• G LeBron James (CLE)
  Lebron makes his first all-star appearance, and as a starter.
• G Allen Iverson (PHI)
  Iverson makes his sixth straight start.

• G Gilbert Arenas (Was)
  Gilbert makes his all-star debut.
• G Dwyane Wade (Mia)
  Wade joins LeBron from the 2003 rooke class in his first all-star game.
• G Paul Pierce (Bos)
  Pierce is an all-star for the fourth straight year.
• F Antawn Jamison (Was)
  After a much travelled career following UNC, Antawn joins former teammate Vince Carter in his first all-star appearance.
• F Jermaine O'Neal (Ind)
  After starting for two years in a row, Jermaine returns to the bench in his fourth all-star appearance.
• C Ben Wallace (Det)
  Ben plays in his third straight year, after temporarily occupying the starting spot, for a couple of years, just keeping it warm for Shaq.
• C Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Cle)
  "Z" makes his second appearance ('03).

All Star Saturday

The participants for the Slam Dunk Contest were: Chris Andersen (NO), Josh Smith (Atl), J.R. Smith (NO) and Amare Stoudemire (Pho). Josh Smith beat Amare Stoudemire in the finals 100-87 with two perfect dunks, including one paying homage to Dominique Wilkins and the other a one hand spin reverse dunk. Smith had one of the better performances in recent years. The only other memorable thing was the excessive amount of missed dunks, which didn't count this year.

The participants for the Three Point Shootout were: Ray Allen (Sea) , Kyle Korver (Phi), Joe Johnson (Pho), Voshon Lenard (Den), Vladimir Radmanovic (Sea) and Quentin Richardson (Pho). Although injured and out for the season, I guess Lenard can still shoot the ball as he gets to defend his title. He will have his work cut out for him as he has to go against the 2001 champ in Ray Allen. Lenard made 17 points in the first round, leading everyone into the finals. Quentin Richardson scored 19 points in the finals to beat Kyle Korver (18) and Lenard (17). The competitors for the Skills Competition, which is a timed event featuring dribbling, passing, and shooting skills, were: Gilbert Arenas (Was), Earl Boykins (Den), Steve Nash (Pho) and Luke Ridnour (Sea). Steve Nash won it running away, beating Earl Boykins in the finals finishing in 25.8 seconds. The NBA announced the contestants for the Shooting Stars competition with teams consisting of a NBA player, a former NBA player, and a WNBA player, competing in a timed shooting contest. The teams are: Denver-Andre Miller, Alex English, Becky Hammon; Detroit-Ronald Dupree, Adrian Dantley, Swin Cash; Los Angeles-Luke Walton, Magic Johnson, Lisa Leslie; and Phoenix-Shawn Marion, Dan Majerle, Diana Tauasi. The Phoenix team won it very easily, setting up a big night for the Suns including Three-Point shootout winner Quentin Richardson, Skills Competition winner Steve Nash and Dunk Contest runner up Amare Stoudemire..

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• F Kevin Garnett (MIN)
  Garnett led the Western Conference in votes with, 1,780,918, in what may turn out to be an MVP season. He makes his sixth straight start, and seventh overall appearance.
• F Tim Duncan (SA)
  Duncan was the clear choice to join Garnett in the frontcourt, fininshing with 1,681,435 votes, more than a million more than the next closest forward, Carmelo Anthony (6602,536). Duncan makes his fifth straight start., and sixth overall appearance.
• C Yao Ming (HOU)
  Once again Yao edged out Shaq in the fan vote 1,484,531 to 1,453,286 for Shaq. Ming has elevated his game in his sophomore year averaging 16 points, 9 boards and almost 2 blocks a game.
• G Kobe Bryant (LAL)
  Even with his off-court legal troubles, Kobe led the voting amongst Western Conference guards with 1,759,717. Its Kobe's sixth straight start...he's never played the game coming off the bench!
• G Steve Francis (HOU)
  Steve makes his third straight start beside Kobe. Jason Kidd was the last guard to start for the West (2001). Francis is having a down year, but was still able to beat out Gary Payton for the second spot 976,841 to 686,788.

• G Ray Allen (SEA)
  Allen makes his fourth all-star team, and the first since he's been with the Sonics. He hasn't even played half of the games this season, but the coaches thought he was deserving.
• G Sam Cassell (MIN)
  Believe it or not Sam is an all-star for the first time. He's had his share of snubs over the years and deserves to have three or four selections under his belt.
• F Andrei Kirilenko (UTA)
  Andrei is a first time all-star, one of six in 2004. He is putting up one of the best all around seasons in the NBA this year contributing in every statistical category.
• F Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)
  Dirk makes his third straight appearance for the western team, but doesn't have any help from his Dallas teammates this year.
• F Peja Stojakovic (SAC)
  Peja is a deserving third time all-star really tearing up the league and leading the Kings in the absence of Chris Webber.
• C Brad Miller (SAC)
  Miller makes the team for the second time, this time for the western team, as he was a reserve for the eastern squad while playing with Indiana last year.
• C Shaquille O'Neal (LAL)
  Shaq is the reserve for the second year in a row, taking the back seat to Yao Ming. Last year, Shaq got most of the playing time though, and that doesn't figure to change this year. Its Shaq's eleventh appearance, the most amongst this year's all-star team.

• F Vince Carter (TOR)
  Vince is the starter for the fifth year in a row and the leading vote getter for the fourth time, tying him for second place with Julius Erving. Michael Jordan was the leading vote getter nine times.
• F Jermaine O'Neal (IND)
  Its Jermaine's second straight start, and his third appearance overall, helping power the Indiana Pacers to the Eastern Conference lead. He finished with a million more votes than the next closest forward, Kenyon Martin.
• C Ben Wallace (DET)
  Wallace returns as the starter in his second career appearance. It was a cakewalk victory beating the next closest competitor, retired Alonzo Mourning 1,982,251 to 414,356.
• G Allen Iverson (PHI)
  Iverson led the vote amongst eastern guards with 1,731,648 to start his fifth straight game.
• G Tracy McGrady (ORL)
  McGrady edged out Jason Kidd 1,231,825 to 1,126,838, to make his fourth all-star appearance, and third as a starter.

• G Baron Davis (NO)
  Baron makes his second all-star team. He might have been the starter if his red hot early season play continued, but he was slowed by nagging injuries.
• G Jason Kidd (NJ)
  Kidd is the elder statesmen for the eastern team, in his seventh all-star game, three for the east and four for the west.
• G Michael Redd (MIL)
  Redd is one of four first time all-stars on the eastern team.
• F Ron Artest (IND)
  Artest turns defense and a pretty good offensive showing into his first all-star selection.
• F Kenyon Martin (NJ)
  Martin makes his first of what will probably be many trips to the all-star team for an eastern conference that is soft at the PF position. Martin can hold his own against the western big men, though, so he is deserving.
• F Paul Pierce (BOS)
  Pierce makes his third all-star team, now the only man in Boston with the trade of Antoine Walker.
• C Jamaal Magloire (NO)
  In a bit of controversy Magloire was named to the all-star team as a reserve center, meaning that quite a few players who were having better seasons were left off because the team needed two centers. I guess he made his critics be quiet huh?
  

The contestants for the slam dunk competition were: Chris Andersen (Det), Ricky Davis (Bos), Fred Jones (Ind) and Jason Richardson (GS). Richardson is the defending two-time champion and had the chance to be the only player to win the contest three times. Richardson faced off against Fred Jones in the Finals, where Jones scored a perfect 50 on his first dunk...Richardson scored the only other 50 in the competition in the first round. Both contestants missed their final dunk, and Jones won by default in one of the most anti-climactic and downright un-exciting dunk competitions ever. The contestants for the 3-Point Shootout contest were: Brent Barry (Sea), Chauncey Billups (Det), Voshon Lenard (Den), Rashard Lewis (Sea), Cuttino Mobley (Hou) and Peja Stojakovic (Sac). Kyle Korver (Phi) replaced injured Brent Barry in the contest. Peja, Korver and Lenard moved on to the Finals scoring 21, 19 and 18 respectively. Korver couldn't keep up his awesome opening round performance, only scoring 15 and Lenard edged Stojakovic 18-16 when Peja missed his last money ball. The Contestants for the Skills Competition were: Earl Boykins (Den), Baron Davis (NO), Stephon Marbury (NY) and Gary Payton (LaL), but Derek Fisher was a last minute replacement. The Event is timed and features dribbling, passing, and shooting skills. Baron Davis owned the competition as he easily put up the two best times, beating Derek Fisher in the Finals. Davis finished in a remarkable 28.7 seconds in the first round and cruised to victory in 31.6 seconds in the final, easily beating Fisher's 37.6 seconds. A new contest called the Shooting Stars competition was played for the first time this year. Teams of three players consisting of a NBA player, a former NBA player and a WNBA player will compete against each other in a timed shooting contest. The teams this year are Detroit: Chauncey Billups, John Salley, Cheryl Ford; LA Clippers: Marko Jaric, Terry Cummings, Nikki Teasley; LA Lakers: Derek Fisher, Magic Johnson, Lisa Leslie; and San Antonio: Manu Ginobili, Steve Kerr, Jennifer Azzi. The Lakers won the contest, beating the second place team San Antonio by a couple of seconds.

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• F Tim Duncan (SA)
  Duncan was the leading vote getter amongst western conference forwards with 1,179,955 votes in his fifth appearance and fourth straight start.
• F Kevin Garnett (MIN)
  Garnett makes his fifth straight start, and sixth overall appearance. He collected 1,086,780 votes to beat out Dirk Nowitzki (1,079,425) for the second forward spot.
• C Yao Ming (HOU)
  Rookie Yao Ming received 1,286,324 votes to replace Shaq in the starting lineup. It is only the second time in O'Neal's career that he has not been elected as a starter.
• G Kobe Bryant (LAL)
  Kobe was the overall leader in votes with 1,474,386, for the first time in his career. Shaquille O'Neal was the leader for the past 3 years.
• G Steve Francis (HOU)
  Steve makes his second straight start and second appearance of his career. He beat out Steve Nash 966,669 to 786,923 votes.

• C Shaquille O'Neal (LAL)
  Shaq doesnt' start for only the second time in his career. He is sure to get a lot of exposure though.
• F Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)
  Dirk returns for his second straight appearance.
• F Chris Webber (SAC)
  Webber is the only representative from the Kings this year, in his fifth appearance. Karl Malone isn't selected for the first time in 13 years.
• F Shawn Marion (PHO)
  Shawn makes his first all-star appearance.
• F Predrag Stojakovic (SAC)
  Peja returns for the second year in a row as an injury replacement for teammate Chris Webber. SOm eother forwards in the west are putting up better numbers, but the league must have wanted a Sacramento player on the team.
• G Gary Payton (SEA)
  Payton makes his 9th appearance, second only amongst western conference players to Shaq's 10.
• G Steve Nash (DAL)
  Nash returns for his second straight appearance with teammate Dirk Nowitzki.
  G Stephon Marbury (PHO)
  Marbury, in his second appearance (2001), joins Shawn Marion from the Phoenix Suns, one of six teams that has placed two all-stars in the game.

• F Vince Carter (TOR)
  Although injured for most of the year, Vince was elected as a starter, his fourth year in a row.
• F Jermaine O'Neal (IND)
  Jermaine makes his second appearance and first as a starter as the leader of a rejuvenated Pacers team.
• C Ben Wallace (DET)
  Wallace makes his first career all-star appearance, and as a starter! He had almost twice as many votes as runner up Dikembe Mutombo.
• G Tracy McGrady (ORL)
  Tracy makes his third all-star appearance and second as a starter, after being a reserve last year.
• G Allen Iverson (PHI)
  Iverson edges out perennial fan favorites Michael Jordan and Jason Kidd to start the game for the fourth year in a row.

• C Brad Miller (IND)
  Brad makes his first appearance, following up a brilliant breakout 2002 season.
• C Zydrunas Ilgauskas (CLE)
  Healthy for the first time in his career, Zydrunas joins Brad Miller as a first time all-star.
• F Paul Pierce (BOS)
  Pierce might have the best statistics of all of the eastern forwards, but believe it or not his game has been off a little in 2002-2003. Its his second All-Star appearance.
• F Antoine Walker
  Walker, in his third appearance, does double duty also competing in the Long Distance Shootout.
• F Jamal Mashburn (NO)
  Mashburn is an all-star for the first time in his career, but he just could not be ignored this year!
• G Michael Jordan (WAS)
  Michael makes his 14th All-Star appearance, breaking a tie moving him into sole possession of second place on the all-time list (Kareem played in 18 games).
• G Jason Kidd (NJ)
  Jason Kidd, arguably not only the best guard in the east but also the best player, makes his 6th appearance.

The 2002 Draft Class took on the 2001 Sophomore Class in the Schick Rookie Challenge. The rookie team consisted of: Carlos Boozer (CLE), Caron Butler (MIA), Drew Gooden (MEM), Nene Hilario (DEN), Amare Stoudemire (PHO), Dajuan Wagner (CLE), Jay Williams (CHI), Emanuel Ginobili (SA), and Yao Ming (HOU). Ming did not play due to the fact that he gets to play in the big boys game as the Western Conference Starter so Ginobili was named as his replacement. The Sophomore team was: Gilbert Arenas (GS), Tyson Chandler (CHI), Pau Gasol (MEM), Richard Jefferson (NJ), Andrei Kirilenko (UTA), Troy Murphy (GS), Tony Parker (SA), Jason Richardson (GS) and Jamaal Tinsley (IND). Strangely enough, Shane Battier who was on the All-Rookie team last year did not get the call. The sophomores beat the rookies 132-112 behind Gilbert Arenas MVP performance. Jason Richardson actually scored more (31) than his Golden State teammate Arenas (30). Other sophomore standouts included: Pau Gasol who led all players with 11 rebounds and also chipped in 17 points, Jamaal Tinsley who led all players with his 11 assists, and Richard Jefferson who scored 21 points. The rookies were led by Caron Butler's 23 points and 7 assists. Rookie phenom Amare Stoudemire scored 18 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, while Drew Gooden led the rookies in rebounding with 9 and scored 16 points as well. Number two draft pick Jay Williams led the rookies with 9 assists and padded his performance with 9 points.

The NBA selected Jason Kidd (NJ), Stephon Marbury (Pho), Tony Parker (SA), and Gary Payton (Sea) to participate in the Skills Challenge, which is a new competition that features dribbling, passing, and shooting. Kidd and Payton faced off in the Finals with Kidd (35.1 seconds) beating Payton (40.3 seconds), who stumbled after putting up the best time of all players during the first round (31.3 seconds). The Hoop-it-up teams were (NBA player, NBA legend, WNBA player, celebrity): Atlanta: Jason Terry (Atl), Dominique Wilkins, Sheryl Swoopes, Frankie Muniz versus Los Angeles: Marko Jaric (LAC), Magic Johnson, Lisa Leslie, Ashton Kutcher. Magic's LA team narrowly beat out Dominiques' team 23-19, even after the "Human Highlight Film" dunked over Magic.

All-Star 2002

February 10, 2002
Philadelphia, PA

Don Nelson coached the western team. The Mavericks had the second best record in the west, but Rick Adelman coached last year, and he can't coach again this year, even though the Kings once again led the west at the break. Nelson relied on his Dallas first time all-stars in crunch time and Nowitzki delivered with 12 points while Steve Nash had 8 points and a game high 9 assists. Other first timers Elton Brand (6 points and 10 rebounds), and Wally Szczerbiak (10 points) also showed why they deserved to be there.

2002 Western Starters

• F Kevin Garnett (MIN)
  Kevin makes his fourth straight start in his fifth overall appearance with the most votes amongst western forwards with 880,692. Last year he started as Shaq's injury replacement, though.
• F Tim Duncan (SA)
  Tim makes his third straight starting appearance and his fourth overall.
• F Chris Webber (SAC)
  Chris makes his fourth all-star appearance after missing the first month of the season with an injury. He was named a starter for injured Shaq.
• C Shaquille O'Neal (LAL)
  Shaq is the starter once again, he has only not started once in his career. He was the leading vote getter with 1,247,438...its his third straight as the leading vote getter. Unfortunately, he will have to sit this one out due to an arthritic right big toe.
• G Kobe Bryant (LAL)
  Kobe finished second amongst all voting in the western conference with 1,121,753.
• G Steve Francis (HOU)
  Its Steve's first all-star apearance. He finished with 456,972 votes, edging out Gary Payton who only had 367,120.

• F Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)
  Dirk makes his first all-star appearance and posted numbers that could have easily made him the starter.
• F Karl Malone (UTA)
  Karl makes his 13th all-star appearance, but isn't joined by teammate John Stockton this year. He is tied for second place for the most all-star appearances. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has 18 appearances.
• F Pedrag Stojakovic (SAC)
  Peja is selected to his first all-star team as the second member of the western conference leading Kings. He is one of a record 5 international players selected (Duncan-Virgin Islands, Mutombo-Zaire, Nowitzki-Germany, Nash-Canada).
• F Elton Brand (LAC)
  Brand was named as an injury replacement for Shaq. Its his first all-star appearance, and the first Clipper to play in the game since Danny Manning in 1994.
• G Steve Nash (DAL)
  Nash became one of the league's elite PGs, earning his first all-star selection. Nash is the first Canadian to be on the all-star team.
• G Gary Payton (SEA)
  Payton is having one of his best seasons and deserved the start, but he will be a reserve in his eighth appearance, two as a starter.
• G-F Wally Szczerbiak (MIN)
  Wally makes his first appearance as the second member of the surging Minnesota Timberwolves. He is one of the league leaders in FG percentage, shooting better than 50 percent from the field and better than 45 percent from three-point range.

• F Vince Carter (TOR)
  Carter once again was the leading vote getter...for the second year in a row...this time with 1,470,176. Vince was unable to play due to an injury he suffered the week before the game.
• F Antoine Walker (BOS)
  Antoine starts for the first tiime in his second appearance. He had 547,172 votes beating out Grant Hill who had 427,446.
• C Dikembe Mutombo (PHI)
  Dikembe is voted in as the starter for the second time in his career. He beat Jermaine O'Neal of Indiana with 411,422.
• G Michael Jordan (WAS)
  Michael comes out of retirement and back into the all-star game as the leader among eastern conference guards with 985,448 votes in his thirteenth appearance.
• G Allen Iverson (PHI)
  Allen beat out Tracy McGrady by a wide margin 920,502 to 453,276 in his third all-star appearance.
• G Jason Kidd (NJ)
  Kidd was selected as a reserve in his fifth all-star game, after being a starter regulary for the Western Conference, he was picked as a reserve for his first year in the east for the conference leading Nets. He was named a starter for injured Vince Carter.

• F Shareef Abdur-Rahim (ATL)
  Shareef is an all-star for the first time in his first year in the eastern conference with the Hawks.
• F Paul Pierce (BOS)
  Pierce joins Walker from the Celtics in his first all-star appearances. Both of these Celtics are putting up monster numbers in the first half allowing their team to compete for the Eastern Conference title.
• C Alonzo Mourning (MIA)
  Mourning makes his seventh appearance after coming back from a career threatening Kidney disease.
• C Jermaine O'Neal (IND)
  Jermaine is the lone representative from Indiana in his first appearance.
• G-F Tracy McGrady (ORL)
  After being elected to start last year, McGrady makes an appearance as a reserve in his second all-star game.
• G Ray Allen (MIL)
  Ray makes his third all-star appearance for the Central Division leading Milwaukee Bucks.
• G Baron Davis (CHA)
  Baron was named a replacement for Vince Carter. Its his first all-star appearance.

The Contestants for the 1-800 Call ATT Shootout were: Ray Allen (MIL), Wesley Person (CLE), Paul Pierce (BOS), Mike Miller (ORL), Steve Nash (DAL), Quentin Richardson (LAC), Steve Smith (SA) and Peja Stojakovic (SAC). Ray Allen tried to defend his 2001 title, but was unable to make the finals after scoring 14 in the first round. He was edged out by Steve Nash, who made 15 and joined Wesley Person (22) and Peja Stojakovic (21) in the finals. Person and Stojakovic each scored 19 points in the last round, leading to a 24 second overtime, where Pedrag got hot and beat Person 9-5. Stojakovic was the runner up last year.

The Rookie-Sophomore game took place on All-Star Saturday, prior to the Shootout. The Roster for the Rookies consisted of: Shane Battier (MEM), Pau Gasol (MEM), Brendan Haywood (WAS), Joe Johnson (BOS), Andrei Kirilenko (UTA), Tony Parker (SA), Zeljko Rebraca (DET), Jason Richardson (GS) and Jamaal Tinsley (IND). The team was coached by Chuck Daly. The Sophomores, coached by Billy Cunningham, were led by last year's Rookie of the Year Mike Miller (ORL) and number one draft pick Kenyon Martin (NJ). The others include: Marcus Fizer (CHI), Desmond Mason (SEA), Chris Mihm (CLE), Lee Nailon (CHA), Morris Peterson (TOR), Quentin Richardson (LAC), Stromile Swift (MEM) and Hidayet Turkoglu (SAC). Memphis will have three players in the game! Maybe that means things will be looking up there in years to come. Stromile Swift won't play due to a toe injury and Morris Peterson was out indefinately, so Darius Miles (LAC) gets to play instead of Swift. The rookies won 103-97 behind MVP Jason Richardson's 26 points, the third most in the history of the game. Kobe Bryant had 31 in 1997 and Wally Szczerbiak had 27 in 2001. Quentin Richardson led the sophomores with 22 points and late edition Darius Miles chipped in 20 off the bench. Paul Gasol, the early favorite for ROY only had 10 points and seven boards, well under his regular season averages of 17.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Jamaal Tinsley showed what he could do best, by dishing out 10 assists in the winning effort.

The Eastern All-Stars overcame a 21 point Western Conference lead and trailing 11-0 to start the game, by outscoring the west 41-21 in the fourth quarter to win 111-110. Allen Iverson was named MVP after leading all scorers with 25 points and chipping in 5 assists. Dikembe Mutombo might actually have been the MVP because when he was in the game, he altered just about every shot the western conference attempted. He also grabbed 22 rebounds and got 3 blocked shots. Vince Carter also helped the fans get their money's worth by throwing down some spectacular dunks that were better than any in the previous night's slam dunk competion. He also scored 16 points. Stephon Marbury made 2 of 3 three pointers, both in the last minute of the game on the way to 12 points including the game winning basket. The Bucks teammates also chipped in to the cause, Ray Allen scored 15 and Glenn Robinson scored 8. For the Western Conference, the big frontcourt of Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Chris Webber dominated early with each of them scoring 14 points for the game. Tim Duncan led the west in rebounding with 14 while Webber added 9 to surpass Dikembe's 22 rebound performance between them. Jason Kidd and Gary Payton shared the PG responsibilities where Kidd was the scorer getting 11 points and only 2 assists while Payton didn't score any points but dished out 5 assists. The true star for the western squad was Kobe Bryant, who tried to equal Iverson's fourth quarter performance but came up short on the way to scoring a west leading 19 points and 7 assists. First time all-star Vlade Divac made the most of his time only playing 9 minutes, but scoring 8 points. Rick Adelman coached the Western team after his Sacramento Kings narrowly edged the Portland Trail Blazers for the best record in the conference. Larry Brown coached the Eastern Squad after his Sixers trampled the Eastern Conference on the way to the best record. The eastern conference win avenged last year's loss to the western all-stars

• F Chris Webber (SAC)
  Webber takes over the starting spot from Kevin Garnett. Webber had 1,306,243 to Kevin's 1,003,336 votes, while Duncan had 1,096,533 votes.
• F Kevin Garnett (MIN)
  Kevin makes his fourth appearance, but unlike last year he wasn't voted to start the game, although he was named as a starter to replace injured Shaquille O'Neal.
• F Tim Duncan (SAN)
  Duncan will play center instead of Shaq.
• C Shaquille O'Neal (LA)
  Shaq was the leading vote getter in the Western Conference with 1,541,298 votes. He won't be able to play due to injury.
• G Kobe Bryant (LAL)
  Kobe finished second to Shaq in voting with 1,433,747 votes.
• G Jason Kidd (PHO)
  Kidd (1,062,837 votes) edges out both Jason Williams (925,310 votes) and Gary Payton (732,671 votes) to take the second guard spot.

• F Rasheed Wallace (POR)
  Rasheed returns to the game for the second straight year as Portland's only player represented.
• F Antonio McDyess (DEN)
  Atonio is the sixth power forward named to the team, but he deserved it after putting up monster first half numbers. It is also his first appearance.
• F Michael Finley (DAL)
  Finley represents the surprising Dallas Mavericks in his second straight trip to the game.
• C David Robinson (SAN)
  The Admiral makes his tenth appearance in the game, demonstrating his staying power as an elite NBA center.
• C Vlade Divac (SAC)
  Divac was selected as an injury replacement for Shaq by the commissioner.
• G Gary Payton (SEA)
  Payton is the only reserve guard on the west squad, so he, Kidd and Kobe will get a ton o' playing time.

• F Vince Carter (TOR)
  Carter led all Eastern Conference voting with 1,717,687.
• F Grant Hill (ORL)
• F Anthony Mason (MIA)
  Mason is the surprise representative from the Heat in his first appearance, but he is deserving because of how he has helped his team excel in the absence of Zo. He was named the starting forward, replacing injured Grant Hill.
• C Alonzo Mourning (MIA)
  Neither Hill nor Mourning will play due to season ending injuries.
• C Antonio Davis (TOR)
  Antonio was named as an injury replacement for Theo Ratliff. It will be his first appearance as an all-star, and he gets it for playing the center position this year in Toronto, even though he's only 6-9/230. He was also named as the starter!
• G Allen Iverson (PHI)
  Allen led all eastern conference guards in voting with 1,508,142 votes, second only to Vince Carter.
• G Tracy McGrady (ORL)
  McGrady makes his first all-star appearance, as a starter, finishing in a solid second place in voting to Allen Iverson with 827,122 votes.

• F Glenn Robinson (MIL)
  The Big Dog is having his best year as a pro.
• C Theo Ratliff (PHI)
  Theo was thought to be the starting center in his first appearance in the game. Unfortunately, he suffered a stress fracture in his wrist that will sideline him for six weeks or so and will not be able to play.
• G Stephon Marbury (NJ)
  Marbury is an all-star for the first time joining Allen Iverson from his draft class.
• G Ray Allen (MIL)
  Allen makes his second trip to the game as the second Milwaukee Buck on the squad.
• G Allan Houston (NYK)
  Houston is a surprise representative in his second all-star game.
• G Jerry Stackhouse (DET)
  Stackhouse was the NBA's scoring leader at the all-star break.
• C Dikembe Mutombo (ATL)
  Dikembe was named as an injury replacement for Mourning. Its his seventh appearance.
• G Latrell Sprewell (NYK)
  Sprewell was named by the commissioner as a replacement for injured Grant Hill. Its his first selection as a Knick, but fourth trip overall.

The Schick Rookie game featured a team of 2000 Rookies versus a squad made up of sophomores. The rookie team consisted of: Mateen Cleaves (Det), Khalid El-Amin (Chi), Marc Jackson (GS), Stephen Jackson (NJ), Kenyon Martin (NJ), Mike Miller (Orl), Darius Miles (LAC), Morris Peterson (Tor) and Quinten Richardson (LAC). They played a team made up of second year players: Elton Brand (Chi), Baron Davis (Cha), Steve Francis (Hou), Richard Hamilton (Was), Shawn Marion (Pho), Andre Miller (Cle), Lamar Odom (LAC), Wally Szczerbiak (Min) and Jason Terry (Atl). Marc Jackson leads all rookies in scoring with 13.0 ppg and is second to Kenyon Martin in rebounds with 7.0 to Martins's 7.1 per game. Martin is second with 10.9 points. A surprise rookie, Khalid El-Amin leads all rookies in assists. The sophomores won 121-113 in a close victory. Wally Szczerbiak was named MVP of the game after scoring 27 points on 11-13 shooting and hitting 5-6 on three pointers. Steve Francis also took over the game, trying to show up the rooks and scoring 20 points. Co-rookie of the year Elton Brand chipped in 13 points while Shawn Marion had a solid 18. For the rookies, Quentin Richardson outshined his fellow rookies by grabbing 14 boards and scoring 20 points. Richardson's Clipper teammate Darius Miles didn't want to be too far behind, so he scored 15. Khalid El-Amin also showed he was worth much higher than a second round draft pick, scoring 18 points.

The slam dunk competition did not feature Vince Carter this year, he bowed out due to a nagging injury. The six young competitors were: Jonathan Bender (Ind), Baron Davis (Cha), Desmond Mason (Sea), Corey Maggette (LAC), DeShawn Stevenson (Uta) and Stromile Swift (Van). Baron Davis was an early favorite as he, Desmond Mason and DeShawn Stevenson made it to the finals. Desmond Mason won the competiton with two solid dunks in the finals. Baron Davis blew a blindfolded dunk that knocked him into third place. Corey Maggette might have had the most original dunk of the evening when he did a flip from the free throw line before dunking it home.

The Two-Ball Competition consists of teams made up of one NBA player and one WNBA player. They make shots from various spots on the court for points. The teams were: Richard Hamilton (Was) and Nikki McCray (Washington Mystics); Jason Kidd (Pho) and Brandy Reed (Phoenix Mercury); Tracy McGrady (Orl) and Nykesha Sales (Orlando Miracle); Trajan Langdon (Cle) and Eva Nemcova (Cleveland Rockers); Cuttino Mobley (Hou) and Sheryl Swoopes (Houston Comets); Bryon Russell (Uta) and Natalie Williams (Utah Starzz); Predrag Stojakovic (Sac) and Ruthie Bolton-Holifield (Sacramento Monarchs); and David Wesley (Cha) and Dawn Staley (Charlotte Sting). The two teams to move on to the finals were from Cleveland and Sacramento. Pedrag and Ruthie put on a shooting clinic in both rounds dominating the field and putting on an amazing show. They won 62-57 in the finals after scoring an incredible 66 points in the first round.

• F Kevin Garnett (MIN) Kevin starts for the second straight year.
• F Tim Duncan (SA) Tim replaces Karl Malone in the starting lineup for his second straight appearance. Duncan had 1,321,436 votes to Malone's 327,599. Actually, both Scottie Pippen (662,341) and Chris Webber (661,865) received more votes than Malone.
• C Shaquille O'Neal (LAL) Shaq was the leading vote getter in the western conference with 1,807,609 votes to start for the sixth time in seven games.
• G Jason Kidd (PHO) Kidd starts for the second time (the first was in Dallas) in his career, in his third appearance. He was the leading vote getter amongst western conference guards with 1,061,031.
• G Kobe Bryant (LAL) Kobe is the second Laker to start for the team this year. He got off to a slow start this season due to injury, but made up for lost time in a hurry averaging about 23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. He starts for the second straight year, beating Gary Payton with 1,022,897 votes to 898,601 votes for Payton. Jason Williams came in at a close fourth with 884,746 votes.

• F Karl Malone (UTA) Karl is named to his 12th all-star team, the most among this year's participants.
• F Rasheed Wallace (POR) Wallace is Portland's lone representative in his first all-star game.
• F Chris Webber (SAC) Webber makes his second all-star team. Any two of Garnett, Duncan, Malone or Webber could have been starters.
• C David Robinson (SA) The Admiral is playing in his ninth game, joining Tim Duncan from the world champion Spurs.
• G Michael Finley (DAL) Michael makes his first all-star appearance after putting up gaudy numbers such as better than 22 points per game, and leading the league in minutes per game.
• G Gary Payton (SEA) Gary should have been elected to start, but he will come as a reserve in his sixth appearance.
• G John Stockton (UTA) John is an all-star for the tenth time in his career, proving he is still one of the league's current best point guards, as well as maybe the best point guard of all time.

• F Vince Carter (TOR) Vince received more votes than anyone else at any position in either conference with 1,911,973. He is the first Raptor ever to make the team.
• F Grant Hill Hill starts for the fifth time in five all-star appearances. He beat Latrell Sprewell for the second forward spot with 1,371,304 votes to 785,302 votes.
• C Alonzo Mourning (MIA) Alonzo finished second amongst all vote getters with 1,878,588. His closest competition was Patrick Ewing with 298,985 votes. This is his fifth appearance, but first as a starter. He was not voted an all-star in 1998 due to injury, and was elected to play but couldn't due to injury in 1997.
• G Allen Iverson (PHI) Allen was elected to start in his first ever all-star game. He was the leading vote getter amongst eastern conference guards with 1,843,011 votes. He was leading the league in scoring with almost 31 points per game.
• G Eddie Jones (CHA) Eddie is an all-star for the third time, and the first as a starter. Jones had 734,940 votes, beating Allan Houston (600,876 votes) and Stephon Marbury (492,342 votes).

• F Dale Davis (IND) It will be Dale's first trip to the game after averaging 11 points and 10 boards for the eastern conference leading Pacers.
• F Glenn Robinson (MIL) Glenn finally gets his all-star shot, making his debut after coming close for several seasons.
• C Dikembe Mutombo (ATL) Dikembe can give Mourning a run for his money in any statistical categories and is a true no-brainer choice in his sixth all-star game.
• G Ray Allen (MIL) Arguably the best "two" guard in the east, Ray backs up Eddie Jones in his first all-star appearance.
• G Allan Houston (NY) Allan is one of seven first time all-stars, and the only player from the Eastern Conference leading Knicks.
• G Reggie Miller (IND) Reggie makes his fifth appearance, I bet you thought he had been in more games didn't you?
• G Jerry Stackhouse (DET) Stackhouse follows his slam dunk competition selection with his first invitation to the big boys game.

In the Schick Rookie Game the 1998 Draft Class took on the 1999 Rookies. 1998 guys were invited because there wasn't an all-star game in 1999. Playing for the 1998 Rookie Team: Mike Bibby (Van), Raef LaFrentz (Den), Dirk Nowitzki (Dal), Michael Olowokandi (LAC), Paul Pierce (Bos), Jason Williams (Sac), Cuttino Mobley (Hou) and Michael Dickerson (Van). Dickerson was named to replace Vince Carter who was invited to start in the big boys game. Antawn Jamison was also selected to play in the game, but couldn't due to injury. His replacement was Mobley. Playing for the 1999 Rookie Team: Elton Brand (Chi), Steve Francis (Hou), Adrian Griffin (Bos), Todd MacCulloch (Phi), Andre Miller (Cle), Lamar Odom (LAC), James Posey (Dan), and Wally Szczerbiak (Min). The rookies beat the sophomores in overtime 92-83 with Elton Brand being named MVP after scoring 16 points and grabbing a rookie game record 21 boards. Andre Miller led all scoring with 21 points.

The competitors for the All-Star Shootout were: Hubert Davis (Dal), Dirk Nowitzki (Dal), Jeff Hornacek (Uta), Allen Iverson (Phi), Ray Allen (Mil), Mike Bibby (Van), Terry Porter (SA), and Bob Sura (Cle). Ray Allen and Dirk Nowitzki competed in the finals with previous winner Jeff Hornacek. Nowitzki led after the first round with 18 points, but Jeff Hornacek edged him in the finals with only 13 points to Dirk's 11, to win it for a second time. He joins Larry Bird, Mark Price and Craig Hodges as two-time winners.

Jeff Hornacek also won the 2 Ball Competition along with Natalie Williams. They defeated the Phoenix team of Jason Kidd and Jennifer Gillom in the finals. The competitors for the 2-Ball Competition were: Grant Hill and Jennifer Azzi (Det), Steve Francis and Cynthia Cooper (Hou), Derek Fisher and Lisa Leslie (LA), Allan Houston and Becky Hammon (NY), Jason Kidd and Jennifer Gillom (Pho), Jason Williams and Yolando Griffith (Sac), Jeff Hornacek and Natalie Williams (Uta), and Richard Hamilton and Chamique Holdsclaw (Was).

The highlight of the evening was the slam dunk competition. Vince Carter was an early favorite and he did not disappoint. The competitors were: Vince Carter (Tor), Steve Francis (Hou), Larry Hughes (Chi), Tracy McGrady (Tor), Jerry Stackhouse (Det) and Ricky Davis (Cha), who replaced the injured Antawn Jamison who was scheduled to compete. Carter, McGrady and Francis oohed and ahhed the crowd in the first round cruising into the finals. Vince Carter used his best dunks in the first round scoring 2 50s and a 49. He cruised to victory in the finals with a two-handed foul line dunk and a dunk where he hung from his elbow! His between the legs dunk in the first round was the best of the night, though.

In the Legends Shootout (3 racks with 3 1-point balls and 1 2-point ball): Nate Archibald, George Gervin Alex English and JoJo White competed with Archibald and Gervin going to the finals where Archibald won 7-4.

Larry Bird in his rookie season as a head coach, led the Indiana Pacers to the best record in the east giving him the honor to coach the Eastern All-Stars to a 135-114 victory over the west. Bird, an all-star game MVP himself in 1982, had two former AS Game MVPs on his team: Michael Jordan and Glen Rice. Although it looked like the western squad had more talent, Michael Jordan and the eastern team controlled the game from buzzer to buzzer, on the way to Mike's third All-Star Game MVP Trophy. Following Michael's game opening shot, they led the whole way, usually by ten or more. Mike finished with a game high 23 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Glen Rice valiantly tried to win the MVP for the second straight year, finishing with 16 points on 4-6 shooting from behind the three point line, but it was Michael's show. The two centers did well against the Admiral and Shaq, Smits scoring 10 and Dikembe 9, and both collecting 7 rebounds. All-star vets Grant Hill, Reggie Miller and Shawn Kemp held their own, Kemp grabbing 11 rebounds and scoring 12, Reggie getting hot scoring 14 points in 17 minutes, while Hill scored 15 and had 5 assists. First time all-star Steve Smith scored 14 on a combination of impressive inside moves and solid outside shooting. Tim Hardaway was an early sub for Penny, scoring 8 and dishing out 6 assists.

George Karl coached the Western All-Stars for the third time, countering with two AS MVPs of his own Karl Malone and Mitch Richmond, but neither was able to get anything going. Kobe Bryant, the youngest All-Star ever, led the western team in scoring with 18 and in elecrifying plays that more than once had the crowd on its feet. Laker teammates Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel also brought something to the table, scoring 15 and 13 respectively. Kevin Garnett in his first of what will be many starts, got over early jitters to score 12. Gary Payton had 13 assists for a game high. The two powerful western centers needed to take over the game, but were held in check, the Admiral scoring 15 and Shaq scoring 12. Four time all-star Vin Baker once again turned in a solid performance with 8 rebounds and 8 points. Its remarkable that this year there have been no injury replacements to the team with Penny's timely return and Jordan's last minute recovery from the flu, all 24 players were set to go.
Here are your 1998 All-Stars: 1997-98 stats through the AS Game in parenthesis

• F Karl Malone (UTA) The Mailman was the leading vote-getter in the west in his 11th straight appearance, 8th overall as a starter. The Mailman is a 2-time MVP: co-MVP in 1993 with John Stockton and MVP in 1989 in a 143-134 western Conference win where he scored 28 points and 9 rebounds. (25.8 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 3.9 apg)
• F Kevin Garnett (MIN) Kevin makes his second straight appearance, in his third season, but first as a starter. He is also the T-Wolves first starter in the game in their short history. (17.4 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 4.1 apg)
• C Shaquille O'Neal (LAL) Shaq squeezes out the Admiral to start in an injury plagued season. O'Neal had 565,184 votes while Robinson had 548,633. Shaq has been voted to start in 5 of his 6 NBA seasons. In 1997 he was selected as a backup to Hakeem, but did not play due to injury. (26.9 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 2.8 apg)
• G Gary Payton (SEA) For the second year in a row, Payton starts for the west after leading the Sonics to the conference's best record. This will be his fifth appearance, and fourth consecutive. (19.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 8.9 apg)
• G Kobe Bryant This 19 year and 5 month old is the youngest player in all-star game history, in only his second year in the NBA. Magic Johnson was the previous record holder for youngest in 1980 at 20 years 5 months. Ironically, Kobe has not started a single game for the Lakers but is a candidate for the NBA's Sixth Man Award. There are only 2 other players to start an all-star game, that didn't start a regular season game for their team: Dan Majerle and Jon Havilcek.(17.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.4 apg)

1998 Western Reserves

• F Tim Duncan (SA) Tim gives up the rookie game for the all-star game, a pretty good trade if you ask me. He has started every game for the Spurs and is the first rookie to play in the game since Grant Hill. (18.2 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 2.5 apg 115 blocks)
• F Vin Baker (SEA) Baker is a fixture at this thing in his fourth consecutive game, the first three for the Bucks and now again in his first year in Seattle. (20.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg)
• C David Robinson (SA) The Admiral deserved the start, but he will still get to perform alongside teammate Timmy D in his eighth appearance. (23.0 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.46 blkpg)
• G Mitch Richmond (SAC) Mitch makes his sixth appearance as one of the most dangerous two guards in the league. He was also the MVP of the 1995 game. He brings the third best scoring average in the league to the game this year. (23.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.0 apg)
• G Jason Kidd (PHO) Kidd makes his second appearance, the first time he was a starter when in Dallas, by doing things other than shooting the basketball. (10.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 9.1 apg)
• G Eddie Jones (LAL) Eddie makes his second straight trip. (18.5ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.1 apg)
• G Nick Van Exel (LAL) Van Exel, in his first appearance, is the fourth Laker on the team, the most since Philly put 4 on the team in 1983. (15.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 7.7 apg)

1998 Eastern Starters

• F Grant Hill Grant once again is the leading vote getter amongst eastern conference forwards for his fourth appearance as a starter in four NBA seasons. Twice he was the leading vote getter in the east and the other two times he was the leader among forwards. (21.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 6.8 apg)
• F Shawn Kemp Shawn moves over from western to eastern starter this year after coming to Cleveland and becoming the Cav's first ever All-Star Game Starter. This will be his sixth appearance, and fifth as a starter (the other 4 when he was with Seattle). (17.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.0 apg)
• C Dikembe Mutombo Dikembe eases ahead of Patrick Ewing in the vote in arguably his best season as a pro. This also marks the first time he was chosen by the fans to start the game in his fifth appearance. In 1997 he was an injury replacement starter for Patrick Ewing. (13.6 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 3.35 blkpg)
• G Michael Jordan Mike was the only starter on either team to receive more than 1 million votes and was the leading vote getter for a record ninth time in his 12th appearance. Jordan brings to the game an all-star record 21.1 ppg average ahead of Oscar Robinson's 20.5 ppg. Mike better throw down at least 20 to keep ahead of him. Mike is a two-time all-star game MVP (1996 and 1988). He is also the only all-star with a championship ring in 1998.(28.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.4 apg)
• G Penny Hardaway Although Penny hasn't played much this year, the fans voted him to start. He came off IR about a week before the game. This marks his fourth appearance and fourth start in a five year career. (18.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.6 apg)

• F Antoine Walker (BOS) 'Toine makes his first appearance in his second season. He is tearing up the leage and leading his team and eastern conference power forwards in just about every statistical category.(22.1 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 3.7 apg)
• F Glen Rice (CHA) Last year's MVP returns for his third AS Game. He hopes to top his unbelievable third quarter in last year's game when he scored 20 points, which was a record for points scored in one quarter, beating Hal Greer's record of 18. (22.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, .422 3pt%)
• F/C Jayson Williams (NJ) The rebounding machine will represent the Nets this year in a season when they might finally make the playoffs. He's the only player from a New York area team to be invited. (13.1 ppg, 13.5 rpg)
• C Rik Smits (IND) Believe it or not it is Rik's first all-star appearance in his tenth season. (17.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg)
• G Reggie Miller (IND) In his fourth appearance, and once as a starter, Reggie joins Rik and coach Larry Bird to represent the Eastern Conference leading Indiana Pacers. (20.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, .427 3pt%)
• G Tim Hardaway (MIA) In his fifth all-star game, Tim once again proves he is among the NBA elite PGs and a candidate for MVP. (19.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 8.4 apg)
• G Steve Smith (ATL) Steve joins Mutombo to represent a dangerous Atlanta Hawks starting five in his first All-Star Game. (19.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.8 apg)

Alright, I won't gripe as much this year and give you a whole list of players I would have taken, but I will give you two HUGE players who were left off each team (nope not super-bad boy Dennis Rodman aka rebounding specialist). On the eastern team it is a tragedy not to have either of the Wizard's players that are leading the league in just about every category at their respective positions: Chris Webber and Rod Strickland. I think it was just stupid not to invite Sir Charles to the game, just to have the whole media event that Barkley is all about, and he's put up impressive numbers. Second, Tom Gugliotta is arguably the second best PF in the west, next to the Mailman of course.

Injuries have kept many all-star fixtures off the team this year including: Scottie Pippen, Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler Alonzo Mourning and John Stockton. Shaq and Penny overcame injury plagued years to win the fan's hearts and be voted as starters.

Just for the sake of trivia do you want to know who would be playing in the game if only the fans could vote? Based on the top vote getters at each position in each conference and 2 wild cards with the most votes after 2 players at each position have been chosen here are the fan's choices for the all-star teams:
Eastern Reserves (the starters would obviously remain the same):

• F Scottie Pippen (Chi)
• F Dennis Rodman (Chi)
• F Glen Rice (Cha)
• C Alonzo Mourning (Mia) replaces injured fan's choice Ewing
• G Tim Hardaway (Mia)
• G Allen Iverson (Phi)
• G Reggie Miller (Ind)

Western Reserves:

• F Charles Barkley (Hou)
• F Tim Duncan (SA)
• F Vin Baker (Sea)
• C David Robinson (SA)
• G John Stockton (Uta)
• G Stephon Marbury (Min)
• G Jason Kidd (Pho)

The Rookie Game has become the most popular event over the years. This year's 1997 Draft Picks performed well in a wide-open high scoring, slamma-jamma game. Zydrunas Ilgauskas was named MVP in an eastern rookie victory over the western rookies 85-80. Ilgauskas scored 18 and grabbed 7 rebounds. He was a 1996 first round choice by the Cavs, but sat out the year due to injury. Three other Cavs were selected to play on the eastern team for a record 4 players on one team: Brevin Knight, Cedric Henderson and Derek Anderson, but Derek couldn't play due to a knee injury. Previoulsy the record was 3, in 1997, from the Lakers: Kobe Bryant, Travis Knight and Derek Fisher. Brevin contributed 8 assists and Cedric scored 14 in a solid Cav showing.
Willis Reed coached the eastern squad, assisted by Bob McAdoo. Keith Van Horn (NJ) challenged Zydrunas for MVP honors, scoring 17 and collecting 10 rebounds. Tim Thomas (Phi), Ron Mercer (Bos) and Chauncey Billups (Bos) rounded out the list. Tracy McGrady (Tor) was named as an injury replacement for Derek Anderson scoring 9 points in 10 minutes. Tim Duncan would have been the powerhouse on the western team, but he got upgraded to the the Big Boy's Game. Antonio Daniels (Van), Danny Fortson (Den), Bobby Jackson (Den), Rodrick Rhodes (Hou), Michael Stewart (Sac), Maurice Taylor (LAC), Kelvin Cato (Por) and Alvin Williams (Por) represented the Western Conference, without Duncan, but didn't have enough to defeat the east, although they kept the game close and came out with a quick lead. The west team was coached by Dave DeBusschere, with Mike Bratz as his assistant. Taylor, Jackson, Daniels and Stewart all scored in double digits in a well rounded attack. High flying Rodrick Rhodes only scored 4 points, but he had 8 assists.

The 3 point Shootout contestants were: Dale Ellis (Sea), Glen Rice (Cha) (both previous winners), Hubert Davis (Dal), Jeff Hornacek (Uta), Sam Mack (Van), Reggie Miller (Ind), Tracy Murray (Was) and Charlie Ward (NY). Hornacek and Ellis led the way to the semifinals scoring 17 and 18 respectively, joined by Davis and hometown favorite Charlie Ward. Hubert scored 24 points, tying a record for most points in the semis (Craig Hodges in 1991), to move into the finals, but Ellis and Hornacek had to go to a sudden death 24 second shootout to see who would advance. Hornacek scored an impressive 11 points to move on. Hornacek and Davis squared off in the finals, but Hubert's legs gave out, only scoring 10 points. Hornacek coasted to victory scoring 16 in the final round. It was his second competition, being eliminated in the first round in his first appearance after scoring only 7 points.
Tim Hardaway beat Steve Smith in the finals of the Jam Session Fleer Shootaround. Sam Cassell and Charles Oakley got bumped in the first round.

The Two-Ball Competion led off the evening, consisting of 8 teams of two players who had to make as many shots in a minute as possible from seven spots on the court. Each team must attempt a shot from each spot worth differing amounts of points. One player was from the NBA and one player is from the WNBA from the same city.The teams were: hometown favorites Allen Houston and Rebecca Lobo, Mitch Richmond and Ruthie Bolton-Holifield, Steve Nash and Michele Timms, Kobe Bryant and Lisa Leslie, Clyde Drexler and Cynthia Cooper, Karl Malone and Tammi Reiss, Wesley Person and Michelle Edwards, and Glen Rice and Andrea Stinson. Drexler and Cooper beat Malone and Reiss in the finals to become the first ever two-ball Champions. Kobe could't defend his Slam Dunk Title from last year, and he couldn't win the two-ball either. So far, critics have been pretty hard on the change and there haven't been a lot of supporters come forward.

Don't forget the other annual all-star weekend event: the Mike and Charles Golf Outing. Once again this year Jordan missed the required Media Event on Friday, being fined $10,000, in order to play golf in Las Vegas with chum Charles Barkley, who didn't have to fork out his usual $10,000 fine because he wasn't an all-star this year.

Glen Rice

• G Michael Jordan He was the first player to ever get more than 2 million votes with 2,451,136. (30.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.9 apg)
• G Penny Hardaway Once again starts for the east, even though he had an injury plagued first half. (20.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 5.7 apg)
• F Scottie Pippen The 1994 MVP returns as a fixture at forward. (19.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.7 apg)
• F Grant Hill A fan favorite and previously a 2-time leading vote getter in the eastern conference. (21.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 6.8 apg)
• C Patrick Ewing The only 1997 starter not repeating from 1996 in the east. Ewing will not play due to injury. (21.4 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 1.9 apg)

• G Tim Hardaway He returns to the game, this time in the east. (19.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 8.2 apg)
• G Terrel Brandon A followup to his 1996 performance. (20.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 6.2 apg)
• G Joe Dumars Makes a return to the game as a replacement for Mourning...is he gonna play Hakeem then? (14.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.9 apg)
• F Glen Rice Second year in a row. (25.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.1 apg)
• F Vin Baker It wouldn't be the same without him...3 years running. (22.0 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 2.6 apg)
• F Christian Laettner His first appearance...starting to get his due in Atlanta. (18.7 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.3 apg)
• F Chris Webber Named as an injury replacement for Ewing...finally made it to the AS Game. (19.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 4.7 apg)
• C Alonzo Mourning Will not play due to injury. (19.5 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 1.6 rpg, 3.0 blkpg)
• C Dikembe Mutombo Once again his intimidating inside presence wins him a spot...this year he might want to shoot the ball once or twice, though. Mutombo starts in place of injured Patrick Ewing.(12.8 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 1.4 apg, 3.6 blkpg)

• G Gary Payton starts for the first time in his career, after being a regular backup. (22.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 7.2 apg, 2.4 stlpg)
• G John Stockton He's back where he belongs...starting for the team. (14.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 10.4 apg)
• F Charles Barkley Once again the leading vote getter in the west. He will not play due to injury. (19.5 ppg, 14.7 rpg, 4.9 apg)
• F Shawn Kemp Starts for the second year in a row, again keeping the Mailman on the bench. It's his fourth start in five AS appearances. (21.3 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 1.7 apg)
• C Hakeem Olajuwon He's still the best. (24.3 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.2 blkpg)

• G Mitch Richmond Can you believe this quiet guy's a 5 time all-star?!? (25.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 4.1 apg)
• G Latrell Sprewell His third trip to the game. (25.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 6.2 apg)
• G Eddie Jones A first time all-star from a western conference with a plethora of superstar guards. (16.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.6 stlpg)
• G Clyde Drexler Its a good thing to see him still on the AS team, unfortunately he won't play due to injury. (18.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.7 apg)
• F Tom Gugliotta He's the fifth AS from the 1992 draft class to play in this game. (22.4 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 3.7 apg)
• F Karl Malone Once again he deserves the start as the best power forward in the game, although selected as a reserve by the coaches. Rudy T. named him to start in place of injured Charles Barkley. (26.5 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 4.6 apg)
• C Shaquille O'Neal He couldn't get enough votes to bench Hakeem. Shaq will sit out the game with an injury. (26.2 ppg, 13.0 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.1 blkpg)
• F Detlef Schrempf He was named as Barkley's replacement. (17.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 4.8 apg)
• F Kevin Garnett The Commissioner took him as an injury replacement...he knows who the fans want to see. Kevin is the second youngest AS ever, next to Magic and the first player from the 1995 draft class to play in the game. (16.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.7 apg)
• F Chris Gatling He makes the team as an injury replacement as the best sixth man in the league and the best player in Dallas. (19.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 0.5 apg)

In the exciting slam dunk competition, full of rookies this year, the competition included: Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, Michael Finley, Chris Carr, Bobby Sura and Darvin Ham (who replaced injured Allen Iverson). 18 year old Kobe Bryant ran away with the show, beating runner up Chris Carr. Kobe scored 49 of a possible 50 on his last dunk, a between the legs slam. Finley finished third, Darvin Ham, an undrafted rookie, came in fourth and Ray Allen and Bob Sura tied for last.

In the long distance shootout, previous winners Tim Legler (1996) and Glen Rice (1995) challenged one of the best three-point shooters in history, Steve Kerr in the semi finals. Kerr and Legler faced off in the finals, but Kerr finally came out the winner in his fourth Three Point Shootout. Dale Ellis, in his sixth time, and after winning it in 1989 (he also scored 27 points in the AS Game that year) was eliminated in the first round. First time big men Terry Mills and Sam Perkins also were bumped early. Perennial sharpshooter John Stockton finished fifth and Walt WIlliams made it to the semifinals, finishing fourth.

All-Star 1996

In a 129 to 118 Eastern conference win, Michael Jordan won the 1996 AS Game MVP with a 20 point performance beating out teammate Shaq who scored 25. The west team kept it close until the third quarter when Jordan and Shaq took over. Jason Kidd proved that he could play with the best of them, sparking the west team when he was on the court, making dazzling passes. Anfernee Hardaway (18 pts, 7 assts), Kidd's eastern counterpart, stole the show making spectacular plays both through feeding his teammates the ball, and finishing it himself. Hometown favorite David Robinson also had a good game, along with Gary Payton of the Sonics, each scoring 18 points, but the west looked flat, while the ball was falling for the eastern all-stars.

• G Michael Jordan (pt:30.8 reb:6.1 asst:4.4)
• G Penny Hardaway (pt:23.4 reb:4.6 asst:7.0)
• F Scottie Pippen (pt:21.3 reb:6.3 asst:6.1)
• F Grant Hill (pt:21.1 reb:9.0 asst:6.4)
• C Shaquille O'Neal (pt:25.5 reb:11.1 asst:2.4)

• F Juwan Howard (pt:20.2 reb:7.6 asst:3.8) First AS appearance in 2nd season!
• F Glen Rice (pt:22.7 reb:5.1 asst:2.8) Finally this sharp-shooter makes it.
• F Vin Baker (pt:21.5 reb:10.0 asst:1.9) His second appearance, he can only become more dominant.
• C Alonzo Mourning (pt:24.8 reb:10.0 asst:1.9) Still in Shaq's shadow, will back him up in this game for years to come.
• C Patrick Ewing (pt:22.7 reb:10.2 asst:1.9) He keeps performing, when hasn't he been here?
• G Terrel Brandon (pt:19.5 reb:3.4 asst:6.9) Steps out of Mark Price's shadow...to become a 1st time AS.
• G Reggie Miller (pt:20.6 reb:2.6 asst:3.1) Continues to stay on top of the other sharp-shooters in the league.

• G Clyde Drexler (pt:19.9 reb:7.4 asst:5.7) Classy veteran makes it again.
• G Jason Kidd (pt:16.2 reb:6.7 asst:10.0) First AS start in second season.
• F Charles Barkley (pt:23.7 reb:12.2 asst:3.8) Leading vote getter in the west.
• F Shawn Kemp (pt:21.0 reb:12.3 asst:2.3) Beats out Karl Malone.
• C Hakeem Olajuwon (pt:25.9 reb:11.0 asst:3.3)

1996 Western Reserves

• F Sean Elliott (pt:22.1 reb:5.3 asst:2.9) Returns to the AS Game, beating out many other talented small forwards.
• F Karl Malone (pt:26.9 reb:10.1 asst:4.3) The Mailman deserves to start this game as the league's dominant power forward.
• C David Robinson (pt:25.2 reb:12.5 asst:3.2) Who's better the Admiral or the Dream...in this game they play together...pity the east.
• C Dikembe Mutombo (pt:11.6 reb:11.9 asst:1.4) His defense, rebounding and intimidating force in the middle keeps his in this game.
• G John Stockton (pt:15.5 reb:2.8 asst:11.3) Career assists leader can still teach Jason Kidd a few tricks.
• G Gary Payton (pt:19.1 reb:4.2 asst:7.2) Maybe the best all-around point guard in the league.
• G Mitch Richmond (pt:23.2 reb:3.1 asst:3.2) Last year's MVP returns to put on a show.

All-Star Saturday 1996

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All-Star 1995

Eddie Jones was named MVP of the Schick Rookie Game after scoring 25 points for the "Green" team. Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Jason Kidd, Brian Grant, Sharone Wright, Michael Smith and Anthony Tucker joined Eddie on the losing squad. The "White" team beat them 83-79 with Glenn Robinson's 21 points. Glenn was joined by Lamond Murray, Wesley Person, Donyell Marshall, Khalid Reeves, Eric Montross, Clifford Rozier and Trevor Ruffin. Glen Rice beat Reggie Miller 17-16 in the AT&T Shootout Finals.

• F Grant Hill (DET)
• F Scottie Pippen (CHI)
• C Shaquille O'Neal (ORL)
• G Anfernee Hardaway (ORL)
• G Reggie Miller (IND)

1995 Eastern Reserves

• F Larry Johnson (CHA)
• F Vin Baker (MIL)
• F Tyrone Hill (CLE)
• C Alonzo Mourning (CHA)
• C Patrick Ewing (NY)
• G Dana Barros (PHI)
• G Joe Dumars (DET)

1995 Western Starters

• F Charles Barkley (PHO)
• F Shawn Kemp (SEA)
• C Hakeem Olajuwon (HOU)
• G Dan Majerle (PHO)
• G Latrell Sprewell (GS)

• F Karl Malone (UTA)
• F Detlef Schrempf (SEA)
• F Cedric Ceballos (LAL)-DNP Injury
• C David Robinson (SA)
• C Dikembe Mutombo (DEN)
• G Mitch Richmond (SAC) 23 points on 10 for 13 shooting.
• G Gary Payton (SEA)
• G John Stockton (UTA)

1994 was also the year the first Schick Rookie game was played. Rather than going for east/west divisions, they were split up school-yard style into the Phenoms and Sensations. Chris Webber, Toni Kukoc, Isiah Rider, Lindsey Hunter, Dino Radja, Antonio Davis, Sam Cassell and Bryon Russell led the Phenoms to victory over the Sensations who were powered by Penny Hardaway, Chris Mills, Jamal Mashburn, Calbert Cheaney, Shawn Bradley, Nick Van Exel, Popeye Jones and PJ Brown. Penny was named MVP of the game with 22 points. Mark Price defended his title, defeating Dana Barros in the AT&T Shootout Finals.

1994 Eastern Starters

• F Scottie Pippen (CHI)
• F Derrick Coleman (NJ)
• C Shaquille O'Neal (ORL)
• G Kenny Anderson (NJ)
• G B. J. Armstrong (CHI)

• F Dominique Wilkins (ATL)
• F Charles Oakley (NY)
• F Horace Grant (CHI)
• C Patrick Ewing (NY)
• C Alonzo Mourning (CHA) DNP-Injury
• G Mark Price (CLE)
• G Mookie Blaylock (ATL)
• G John Starks (NY)

1994 Western Starters

• F Karl Malone (UTA)
• F Shawn Kemp (SEA)
• C Hakeem Olajuwon (HOU)
• G Mitch Richmond (SAC)
• G Clyde Drexler (POR)

• F Charles Barkley (PHO) DNP-Injury
• F Danny Manning (LAC)
• F Cliff Robinson (POR)
• C David Robinson (SA)
• G John Stockton (UTA)
• G Kevin Johnson (PHO)
• G Gary Payton (SEA)
• G Latrell Sprewell (GS)

Last Updated February 8, 2006
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Larry Brooks