Nets' Lopez replaces Rondo on All-Star team
Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez will replace injured Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo on the Eastern Conference roster for the All-Star Game, the league announced Wednesday.
This will be Lopez's first All-Star Game, and he will be the only representative from the Nets, who are 27-18.
Rondo was named an All-Star starter based on the fans' vote, but he is out for the rest of the season with a torn anterior-cruciate ligament.
Commissioner David Stern had the responsibility of deciding who would fill Rondo's roster spot. Someone who plays the same position as the replaced player is often named, but Stern is not bound by any position restriction. He chose Lopez, whose statistics are the best among NBA centers this season.
Lopez has averaging 18.6 points and 7.3 rebounds this season while shooting 52 percent from the floor.
