Thursday, November 22, 2007

The NBA shifted Tim Duncan from center to forward on its all-star ballot yesterday, boosting the San Antonio player's chances of making his ninth consecutive start.

The seven-member media panel that selected the players for the original ballot had Duncan as a center, even though he always has been listed as a forward. He was voted to start for the Western Conference each of the last eight seasons, but that streak would have been in jeopardy if he were a center.

Rockets C Yao Ming gets overwhelming support from China and has been elected to start every year of his career. He received the highest vote total in history in 2005, and the fourth highest last season.

"I think Tim would've done his job to the best of his ability no matter what category he's in. He just goes and plays," Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich said in San Antonio.

"It's great that they did that, though, it makes total sense and we're thrilled that they made that change. That's what he's been, he's been that way [a power forward] for 10 years. There's no reason to change it."

Though the paper ballots can't be changed, Duncan will be moved to forward on the online ballot on NBA.com. All votes he has received or receives in the future will be credited toward him at forward.

¿ PAUL RETURNS: Hornets PG Chris Paul, who has missed two games with a sprained right ankle, returned last night when New Orleans played the visiting Pacers.

A team spokesman said Paul, who had been listed as day-to-day, was inserted in the lineup after a team shoot-around yesterday morning. Paul has averaged 19.5 points and 10.8 assists in 10 games this season. The Hornets are 8-2 when he has played, 1-1 when he hasn't.

-- From News Services