The NBA announced today that Chris Paul and Blake Griffin have been voted into the starting lineup for the Western Conference for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game. It is the first time since moving to Los Angeles in 1984 that the Clippers have had a starter in the All-Star Game.

Griffin was an All-Star for the Clippers last season, but was selected by the coaches during his incredible rookie season. This is the fifth All-Star selection for Paul, who has played for the West in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

The last Clippers player to start an All-Star Game was World B. Free of the San Diego Clippers in 1980, and the last time the franchise had two players on the All-Star team was when the 1976 Buffalo Braves placed Randy Smith and Bob McAdoo in the game. The Clippers franchise has now been represented in the All-Star Game a total of 19 times by 11 different players (Chris Paul - 2012, Blake Griffin - 2011, 2012, Chris Kaman - 2010, Elton Brand - 2002, 2006, Danny Manning - 1993,1994, Marques Johnson - 1986, Norm Nixon - 1985, World B. Free - 1980, Randy Smith - 1976, 1978, Bob McAdoo - 1974, 1975, 1976 and Bob Kauffman - 1971, 1972, 1973).

Griffin leads the Clippers with 21.6 points and 11.2 rebounds per game and is ninth in the NBA in scoring and fifth in rebounding. Paul is second in the NBA in assists per game and first in steals while averaging 19.2 points and 9.1 assists per game.

The 2012 NBA All-Star Game, which will air live at 5 p.m. PT on TNT and ESPN Radio in the U.S., and reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages, will be played at the Amway Center on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012.

Paul was second in voting for Western Conference guards behind the Lakers Kobe Bryant and Griffin was second in votes for forwards behind Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant.

---