Sources: Shaq included among All-Star reserves
Shaquille O’Neal will make his return to the NBA’s All-Star Game on Feb. 15 in Phoenix, multiple front office sources told Yahoo! Sports on Thursday afternoon.
O’Neal, 36, was one of seven Western reserves chosen by the NBA’s coaches, and will play in the All-Star Game for the hometown Suns. O’Neal had played in 14 consecutive All-Star Games until missing out in 2008.
Yahoo! Sports obtained the rosters, and the West reserves also include the Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol, New Orleans Hornets’ David West, Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki, San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker, Denver Nuggets’ Chauncey Billups and Portland Trail Blazers’ Brandon Roy.
The East reserves include two Orlando Magic, Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis. East coaches also chose the Boston Celtics’ Paul Pierce, Atlanta Hawks’ Joe Johnson, Toronto Raptors’ Chris Bosh, New Jersey Nets’ Devin Harris and Indiana Pacers’ Danny Granger.
The Magic will have three All-Stars in the game, including starting center Dwight Howard, who received the most fan votes of any player. The East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers will have just one, LeBron James. Among the notable misses on the East’s roster: the Cavs’ Mo Williams, and Boston’s Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen.
As for the West, Minnesota’s Al Jefferson was left off the roster. Also, Steve Nash will miss his first All-Star game in five years.
The NBA will officially name the reserves on TNT at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday.
