Denver guard Chauncey Billups was selected to the Western Conference all-star team as a reserve Thursday. But forward Carmelo Anthony was shut out.
Billups, a Denver native, is averaging 18.8 points and 6.5 assists and has changed the culture of the Nuggets this season. The Nuggets are 29-13 since acquiring Billups.
Reserves are selected by the NBA’s head coaches, who are not permitted to vote for players on their own team.
Anthony finished among the top vote-getters, but was kept off the roster in favor of reserves Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas, the Lakers’ Pau Gasol and New Orleans’ David West.
Anthony finished fifth among Western Conference forwards, while Billups finished 11th among Western Conference guards.
Anthony’s statistics suggest he had the credentials to be included (21.1 points, 7.3 rebounds). But he hasn’t played since Jan. 5 due to a fractured hand, and even Nuggets coach George Karl noted there was an “out of sight, out of mind” component that could cost the star forward an all-star slot.
Billups’ selection is his first as a Western Conference all-star. He’s been to three in his career, in each of past three seasons with Detroit.
The teams:
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Starters:
Kobe Bryant, G, L.A. Lakers
Tim Duncan, F, San Antonio
Yao Ming, C, Houston
Chris Paul, G, New Orleans
Amare Stoudemire, F-C, Phoenix
Reserves:
Chauncey Billups, G, Denver
Pau Gasol, F, L.A. Lakers
Dirk Nowitzki, F, Dallas
Shaquille O’Neal, C, Phoenix
Tony Parker, G, San Antonio
Brandon Roy, G, Portland
David West, F, New Orleans
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Starters:
Kevin Garnett, F, Boston
Dwight Howard, C, Orlando
Allen Iverson, G, Detroit
LeBron James, F, Cleveland
Dwyane Wade, G, Miami
Reserves:
Chris Bosh, F-C, Toronto
Danny Granger, F, Indiana
Devin Harris, G, New Jersey
Joe Johnson, G, Atlanta
Rashard Lewis, F, Orlando
Jameer Nelson, G, Orlando
Paul Pierce, F, Boston
