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."