Salt Lake City – Sacramento Kings coach Rick Adelman said the voting for the NBA Western Conference all-star reserves could be one of the toughest in his 16 years as a coach.
That might not be good news for Nuggets Carmelo Anthony and Marcus Camby, who face fierce competition for a reserve spot.
“It’s going to be difficult,” Adelman said Tuesday before Denver’s game at Sacramento. “You’ve got guys who have been starters in the past that aren’t going to be starting. … There are some very good players who have a chance not to be on. Anthony’s in the same boat, Camby, even a guy like (the Los Angeles Clippers’) Elton Brand.”
All-star starters, as voted by the fans, will be announced today. Coaches from both conferences will vote for seven reserves from their respective conference, including two guards, two forwards, a center and two wild cards. The reserves will be named a week from today. Coaches can’t vote for their own players.
Anthony, looking for his first all-star bid, was averaging 25.5 points as of Tuesday. The forward faces stiff competition from Brand, Houston’s Tracy McGrady, Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett, San Antonio’s Tim Duncan, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, Phoenix’s Shawn Marion and Memphis’ Pau Gasol. Six West forwards were selected last year, including starters.
“I’m anxious to see what happens, but I’m not thinking about it right now,” Anthony said. “I’m playing it by ear. Of course, it’s tough out here in the West.”
Houston’s Yao Ming will be voted in as the West’s center, and his backup could be Camby or Utah’s Mehmet Okur. Camby is averaging 15.4 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.93 blocked shots but missed Wednesday’s game with a muscle strain in his left shoulder. He has missed 20 games to injury this season. Okur entered Wednesday averaging 17.6 points and 9.5 rebounds.
“That’s not my goal,” Camby said. “My goal is to make sure I’m healthy and to be there for my team as we make this push toward the playoffs. I’m not an individual guy; I’m all about the team.”
Said Okur: “I care and I don’t at the same time. I’m focusing on what I’m trying to do with the team, that’s all.”
