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Yao edges Kobe to top All-Star list
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-03 09:38 Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy, however, doesn't think players on losing teams
should make it. Houston (16-29) has the worst record in the Western Conference.
Yao
Ming | "One of the things I really do believe is — and it would've affected our two
guys this year, so it wouldn't have been good — I don't believe anybody on
sub-.500 teams should be in the All-Star game," Van Gundy said. "It should be
all a reward for winning. Now that would affect our guys which, I'm glad no one
took my advice for this year."
Nash, meanwhile, is a first-time starter after improving the numbers that
earned him MVP honors a year ago. Nash is averaging a career-high 19.1 points
and an NBA-leading 11.3 assists this season, the first player since Magic
Johnson in 1990-91 to average as much in both categories.
He finished with 1,818,230 votes for the second Western guard spot behind
Bryant. McGrady had 1,818,932 votes to lead the West's forwards, while Duncan
had 1,518,796 — 39,410 more than Minnesota's Kevin Garnett, who was a starter
seven times in his first eight All-Star trips.
Detroit's Flip Saunders will coach the East and Dallas' Avery Johnson will
coach the West on Feb. 19 in Houston. The All-Star reserves will be announced
Feb. 9.
James got 2,207,697 votes — about 1 million more than Jermaine O'Neal for the
other forward spot on the East roster. And although James said there may be a
time when his excitement level over the All-Star Game dips a bit, he thanked the
fans for their backing.
"Without them, there's no us," James said.
Iverson had 2,062,206 votes and Wade had 1,499,664 for the guard slots, and
Shaquille O'Neal had 2,192,542 to easily outdistance Detroit's Ben Wallace for
the center spot.
"It's an honor. It's tough enough to make an All-Star team," said Iverson,
last season's All-Star MVP. "When you're a starter it says a lot about being one
of the faces of the NBA because the fans pick you."
Since entering the league, Shaquille O'Neal has been chosen as an All-Star
every season. Jerry West, Karl Malone, Bob Cousy and John Havlicek are the only
other players to earn at least 13 consecutive All-Star spots. West and Malone
did it 14 times.
"Each time I'm selected as an All-Star, it's more special than the year
before," Shaquille O'Neal said. "It shows I can compete at a high level on a
consistent basis year in and year out. ... Hopefully, I will see a few more as
my career moves on." 
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