Homecoming For Nowitzki, Three Others At NBA All-Star Game

Sports News - January 29th, 2010 - Written By John Ritter

Seven NBA players will be making their All-Star debut on Feb. 14th, and four others will be right at home in Dallas.

Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki was among the reserves announced Thursday night and is the lone representative from the hometown team, but three other stars will be returning to their home state as the game centers in the cathedral known as Cowboys Stadium.

Utah Jazz point guard Deron Williams is from the Dallas area and heads the list of first timer, which includes Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford, Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant, Charlotte Bobcats guard Gerald Wallace, Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph and Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose.

Rose is averaging 19.8 points, 5.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds in his second season, leading the Bulls to a .500 record heading into February.

Williams played at The Colony High School nearby Dallas, and Durant was a star in his only season at the University of Texas.

Making his fifth All-Star appearance is Chris Bosh, who is also from the area, and has been scrambling to help his friends and family be a part of the experience.

“Just to be able to be an All-Star year in and year out, that’s a special feeling, but the fact that it’s in Dallas is kind of a bittersweet thing,” Bosh said. “Sweet because I get to play in front of my home crowd and it’s bitter because everybody wants tickets.”

The Hawks and Celtics were the only teams to get two players added to the rosters. Horford and Rondo were joined by Joe Johnson and Paul Pierce, respectively, which are the only remaining Eastern All-Stars with experience in the exhibition.

“There’s going to come a day that they don’t pick me,” Pierce said. “So every time I get a chance to make it, it’s definitely an honor.”

Rondo continues to pace the Celtics at the point, averaging nearly a triple-double, and has Boston has the second-best odds to win the East in NBA Betting Lines. He could have made the game earlier in his career, but was relieved to finally make it this year.

“I always thought I was (an All-Star),” Rondo said. “For the coaches to think so, it’s an honor. I try to play with the spirit and that tenacity every night.”

Randolph is in the middle of what could be his best season, averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds, and stirring MVP talk despite a clouded past with the Portland Trailblazers.

Wallace is the only member of the Bobcats to ever make the All-Star game and will also participating in the dunk contest.

“It’s truly an honor to be named to the All-Star team,” Wallace said. “This is an amazing moment for me and for the Bobcats franchise, and I’m excited to be the first player to represent this team in the All-Star game. I want to thank all the fans who voted for me and the coaches who selected me to play in the game.”

Rounding out the rosters is New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul, Portland guard Brandon Roy, and Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol.