November 18, 2004

The NBA announced today that forwards Zach Randolph and Shareef Abdur-Rahim, center Theo Ratliff and guard Derek Anderson will represent the Portland Trail Blazers as All-Star Balloting begins today, giving fans around the globe the opportunity to vote for their favorite players as starters in the 54th NBA All-Star Game to be played in Denver on Sunday, February 20, 2005.

All-Star balloting continues through January 23. Fans can vote in 19 languages on NBA.com network, via wireless ballots, in retail outlets and in movie theaters.

Randolph, who was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player last season, leads the Trail Blazers in scoring, 20.1ppg, rebounding, 11.3rpg (fifth in the NBA), and double-doubles, 4 (tied for 7th). Abdur-Rahim is second on the club in scoring, 15.1ppg, and rebounding, 7.1rpg, while shooting 52.5% from the field. Ratliff, the 2003-04 blocked shot champion, is currently second in the league in that category, 3.71bpg, and is averaging 4.3ppg and 5.6rpg. Anderson is the Trail Blazers top scoring guard at 11.3ppg and is second on the team in assists, 3.1apg.

Ten years ago, NBA All-Star balloting extended beyond the United States for the first time, when ballots were made available to fans in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada and Australia. A decade later, fans will have the opportunity to vote in more ways than ever as the balloting program for the 2005 NBA All-Star Game has expanded to include 19 languages on the NBA.com Network, downloadable ballots via Verizon Wireless and approximately 150 Loews Cineplex Entertainment movie theaters in the United States. Twentieth Century Fox this year joins Sprite, America Online, Reebok and approximately 2100 Foot Locker and Champs Sports stores in the United States and Canada as All-Star balloting partners. Trail Blazers fans can also vote on blazers.com or at upcoming Trail Blazers home games.

NBA All-Star 2005 is a week-long celebration that enables fans to experience the thrill of the world’s greatest athletes playing the game they love and features a full slate of community enhancing activities and fan festivals.

A total of 120 players – 60 from the Eastern and Western Conferences – are listed on the NBA All-Star ballot, with 24 guards, 24 forwards and 12 centers from each conference comprising the ballot. Voters select two guards, two forwards and one center from each conference. The 120 players on the ballot were selected by a panel of media experts who regularly cover the NBA. This year’s panel included; Ric Bucher (ESPN the Magazine), Mark Heisler (Los Angeles Times), Ernie Johnson (Turner Sports), Jack McCallum (Sports Illustrated) and Sam Smith (Chicago Tribune and President, Professional Basketball Writers’ Association).

For more information visit www.nba.com.