Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Sprus’ Tim Duncan, Celtics’ Kevin Garnett are not selected as All-Star reserves.
NEW YORK — Dirk Nowitzki’s streak survives, despite one of the worst seasons of his career.
Two other old stars are no longer All-Stars.
Nowitzki was chosen Thursday to his 11th straight All-Star game, with coaches overlooking the lowest scoring average since his second NBA season in favor of his long-term excellence.
“It was a tough road back to full health for me, but I am honored that the coaches thought enough of me to make me an All-Star,” Nowitzki said in a statement. “It has been a privilege to represent the Mavericks organization over the last decade and I look forward to doing it again in Orlando.”
Paul Pierce will join him despite his own slow start caused by a foot injury and was picked for the 10th time.
But Kevin Garnett wasn’t chosen after 14 consecutive selections, and Tim Duncan was left out after 13 in a row. Other All-Star regulars such as Ray Allen and Amare Stoudemire will be home, giving way to five first-timers among the reserves: Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol of Memphis, Andre Iguodala of Philadelphia, Indiana’s Roy Hibbert, and Chicago’s Luol Deng.
Also headed to the Feb. 26 game are NBA assists leader Steve Nash of Phoenix, Tony Parker of San Antonio, Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City, Kevin Love of Minnesota, Chris Bosh of Miami, Atlanta’s Joe Johnson and Deron Williams of New Jersey.
Already voted to start by fans in the Eastern Conference were Orlando’s Dwight Howard, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade of Miami, Chicago’s Derrick Rose and New York’s Carmelo Anthony. The West starters are the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin of the Clippers, and Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant.
Coaches voted for the reserves, and they had a tough task in this lockout-shortened season, when they were given only about 25 games to evaluate players. That threatened to make it tough for Nowitzki and Pierce, whose bodies weren’t ready to go after the lengthy offseason and brief training camps, and have played below their usual standards.
“I think it’s too early. I’m sitting on my couch when they announced the rosters and I’m floored. I didn’t even know they had started the voting,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.
But the coaches picked Nowitzki, the NBA finals MVP, even though his average of 17.6 points is his worst since he scored 17.5 per game in the 1999-00 season.