All-Star spot goes to Shaq, not Jefferson

By JERRY ZGODA, Star Tribune

Last update: January 30, 2009 - 12:17 AM

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Western Conference coaches passed over Timberwolves forward Al Jefferson and chose now 15-time All-Star Shaquille O'Neal as the reserve center for next month's All-Star Game.

Jefferson's averages of 22.7 points and 10.5 rebounds -- he's one of only three NBA players averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds a game -- and the Wolves' 16-28 record didn't convince the coaches.

They instead chose O'Neal, who at age 36 often doesn't play in back-to-back games. The Feb. 15 game is in Phoenix, where O'Neal now plays.

"I can tell you, Al's played like an All-Star," Wolves coach Kevin McHale said after Thursday's morning practice. "He deserves to be an All-Star."

TNT announced reserves Thursday evening. Voting concluded Tuesday. Every West reserve, including New Orleans forward David West and Los Angeles Laker Pau Gasol, comes from a team with a winning record. East reserves Chris Bosh from Toronto, Danny Granger from Indiana and Devin Harris from New Jersey are the game's only players selected from teams with losing records.

"I'm ready for it to be over with," Jefferson said before he learned the result. "If I make it, I'm happy. If I don't, put it behind me and keep moving forward."

There's always next year for a fifth-year pro who turned 24 early this month.

"He'll make a lot of them," McHale said. "You miss a couple early in your career when you should have gotten them, and you make some later in your career when you have no business making it and your reputation gets you there.

"It'll all equal out for him."

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