The National Basketball Association announced today that Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas and forward Antawn Jamison have been named to the 2005 Eastern Conference All-Star team. Arenas and Jamison will represent the Washington Wizards at the 2005 NBA All-Star Game, to be played at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado on February 20, 2005.
“Congratulations to Gilbert and Antawn,” said Wizards Chairman Abe Pollin. “These two guys certainly deserve it, and our fans will be thrilled that Washington will be represented by two All-Stars. If Larry Hughes had not been injured, I’m fairly certain that we would have had three.” (MORE QUOTES)
“I am very happy for both Gilbert and Antawn that they received this well deserved honor,” said Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld. “They are both playing the game at a very high level, and this honor is a reflection of what Gilbert and Antawn have meant to the success of our team.”
This will be the first All-Star appearance for both Arenas and Jamison, who have helped lead the Wizards to their best start in 25 years. Arenas is averaging a team-high 24.7 points per game this season; the fourth highest average in the Eastern Conference. Jamison is averaging 20.5 points and a team-high 8.1 rebounds per game in his first season with the Wizards.
“I’m proud to have these two players represent us at the All-Star Game,” said Wizards Head Coach Eddie Jordan. “Antawn and Gilbert have given us leadership throughout the season, and their play has elevated us to top tier of the Eastern Conference. They are very deserving of this honor, and I think it’s a credit to our entire team.”
Arenas has recorded 12 games with at least 30 points this season, including two games in which he tallied a career-high 43 points. He ranks in the top 10 of the NBA in three-point field goals made (4th), steals per game (7th), minutes per game (7th), points per game (8th) and free throws made (9th).
Jamison has started all 47 games this season for the Wizards, and extended his league-best streak to 375 consecutive games played. Jamison has recorded 18 double-doubles thus far this season, and helped the Wizards surpass last season’s win total in the team’s first 41 games this year.
This marks the first time that Washington will have two players in the All-Star game since Jeff Malone and Moses Malone represented the Bullets in the 1987 All-Star Game. Prior to this season, Washington had six players named to the All-Star team since 1990.