Selected to start in the East through fan balloting were Rajon Rondo (Celtics), Dwyane Wade (Heat), LeBron James (Heat), Carmelo Anthony (Knicks) and Garnett (Celtics).
Voted to start in the West were Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers), Bryant (Lakers), Kevin Durant (Thunder), Blake Griffin (Clippers) and Dwight Howard (Lakers).
This year’s All-Star roster features 10 players who did not take part in the game last year.
NBA Commissioner David Stern will select the replacement for any player unable to participate in the All-Star Game. If the injured player is a starter, the head coach of that team will determine who replaces him in the starting lineup.
The 14 players selected were chosen by the 30 NBA head coaches, who were asked to vote for seven players in their respective conferences – two guards, three frontcourt players and two players regardless of position. They were not permitted to vote for players from their own team.
The East and West All-Star coaches and coaching staffs will be determined by the best record in the conference through games played Sunday, Feb. 3. The Bulls’ Tom Thibodeau and Brooks coached the East and West squads, respectively, last season and are therefore ineligible for the honor this year.