Picked as a Reserve, Shaq Is an All-Star for the 15th Time

After being left out of the NBA's midseason gala for first time in his career last season, Suns C Shaquille O'Neal received his 15th all-star selection last night when the reserves were announced for the Feb. 15 game in Phoenix.

O'Neal and Suns teammate Amare Stoudemire, voted a starter at forward, gave the host team two Western Conference all-stars.

The Hornets, Spurs and Lakers also had multiple players on the West roster.

The Magic made out best in the East, with G Jameer Nelson and F Rashard Lewis picked as reserves by the conference's coaches alongside Dwight Howard, who was voted a starter at center.

Traded to the Suns at last season's deadline, O'Neal endured the worst season of his career and had his record-tying streak of 14 consecutive all-star appearances end.

Now, O'Neal is back in the showcase game, and trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 19 for most appearances.

Stoudemire, Rockets C Yao Ming, Lakers G Kobe Bryant, Spurs F Tim Duncan and Hornets G Chris Paul were voted by fans to start for the West.

The reserve picks for the West were O'Neal, Mavericks F Dirk Nowitzki, Nuggets G Chauncey Billups, Lakers F Pau Gasol, Spurs G Tony Parker, Trail Blazers G Brandon Roy and Hornets F David West.

The East starters were Howard, Celtics F Kevin Garnett, Heat G Dwyane Wade, Pistons G Allen Iverson and Cavaliers F LeBron James.

The East reserves were Nelson, Lewis, Celtics F Paul Pierce, Nets G Devin Harris, Pacers F Danny Granger, Raptors F Chris Bosh and Hawks G Joe Johnson.

· NUGGETS: Carmelo Anthony still has a tiny fracture in a bone in his right hand, but the Nuggets' forward has been cleared by his doctor to play tonight against the Bobcats, provided he tapes up his two middle fingers to protect the healing hand.

Anthony was injured on Jan. 5 when Pacers C Jeff Foster swatted at the basketball, catching a good chunk of Anthony's shooting hand.

· JAZZ: F Andrei Kirilenko is scheduled to have surgery today to remove a bone fragment from his right ankle.

The team said it won't know until after the operation how long the surgery will keep Kirilenko out. Kirilenko has missed the past four games.

· THUNDER: G Desmond Mason will miss the rest of the season after hyperextending his right knee during Oklahoma City's 114-102 overtime victory over Memphis on Wednesday night.

· BOBCATS: Charlotte signed F Cartier Martin to a 10-day contract. The 6-7 Martin has played in 21 games for the Iowa Energy in the D-League this season, where he is averaging 20.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists.

-- From News Services