Print
All-Starter
Houston's Yao selected as All-Star starter in the West
Damien Pierce
Rockets.com Staff Writer
HOUSTON -- During the 2007 NBA All-Star Game, Yao Ming was forced to watch the league's midseason classic because of a knee injury.
He won't have to be a viewer this season.
The Rockets center was selected the Western Conference's starting center by fans Thursday for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans.
Yao was selected to his sixth straight All-Star Game, joining Hakeem Olajuwon as the only Rockets player in franchise history to be selected as a starter in at least six All-Star Games.
The Rockets big man tallied 1,709,180 votes in paper and online ballots, making him the West's third leading vote-getter. Boston's Kevin Garnett was the game's top vote getter with 2,399,148 votes.
"I would like to thank all fans from around the world for voting again for me this season," Yao said. "It is always an honor to be named to the All-Star Game. I really look forward to this year's game since I was unable to play last year even though I was voted as a starter."
Surprisingly, Yao won't be bringing any of his teammates with him to New Orleans for the first time in his six-year career.
Tracy McGrady, who has missed 14 games because elbow and knee injuries, didn't finish among the West's top two guards in fan voting. Despite being among the top two guards in the final ballot update before starters were announced, McGrady slipped to third behind Denver's Allen Iverson. Iverson won the starting nod over McGrady by 10,410 votes in the ballot's closet race.
"As I said last week, I felt there were a lot of players that were deserving of getting to start in the All-Star game this year," McGrady said. "Considering my injury situation which kept me out for 11 consecutive games, I think it's good that some of these guys that are having great individual seasons have an opportunity to play in the game. I'm looking forward to resting my body during the break and coming back rested for the final stretch of the season."
Even with reigning Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Camby and Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire having strong seasons, Yao didn't have any such drama earning the West's starting center nod. He beat his closest competitor, Stoudemire, by 710,211 votes for the starting job.
The Rockets center earned it with one of the best seasons of his career. Adjusting to a new offense under new coach Rick Adelma, Yao is averaging 22.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.
He ranks sixth in the NBA with 25 double-doubles and is one of two players in the NBA averaging at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots. The other -- Orlando's Dwight Howard -- will start at center for the Eastern Conference in the All-Star Game.
The 57th NBA All-Star Game will be played in New Orleans on Sunday, Feb. 17.
2008 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Forwards: Carmelo Anthony (Den) 1,723,701; Tim Duncan (SA) 1,712,800; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 1,259,025; Carlos Boozer (Utah) 553,624; Shawn Marion (Phx) 514,142; Shane Battier (Hou) 475,483; Kevin Durant (Sea) 463,187; Luis Scola (Hou) 424,470; Josh Howard (Dal) 423,973; Grant Hill (Phx) 389,672.
Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 2,004,940; Allen Iverson (Den) 1,203,152; Tracy McGrady (Hou) 1,192,742; Steve Nash (Phx) 1,174,125; Chris Paul (NO) 563,525; Manu Ginobili (SA) 541,148; Tony Parker (SA) 500,009; Baron Davis (GS) 499,186; Jason Terry (Dal) 300,125; Jerry Stackhouse (Dal) 270,412.
Centers: Yao Ming (Hou) 1,709,180;
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Forwards: Kevin Garnett (Bos) 2,399,148; LeBron James (Clev) 2,108,831; Chris Bosh (Tor) 838,498; Paul Pierce (Bos) 574,159; Yi Jianlian (Mil) 450,515; Caron Butler (Wash) 340,619; Hedo Turkoglu (Orl) 301,038; Andrea Bargnani (Tor) 293,200; Tayshaun Prince (Det) 280,369; Rashard Lewis (Orl) 240,725.
Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 1,608,260; Jason Kidd (NJ) 1,246,386; Ray Allen (Bos) 1,061,740; Vince Carter (NJ) 981,050; Gilbert Arenas (Wash) 797,502; Chauncey Billups (Det) 625,772; Michael Redd (Mil) 375,243; Richard Hamilton (Det) 308,357; Joe Johnson (Atl) 253,308; T.J. Ford (Tor) 253,216.
Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 2,066,991; Shaquille O’Neal (Mia) 965,171; Rasheed Wallace (Det) 303,978; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 283,576; Ben Wallace (Chi) 256,604;
