Ceballos Gets Caught in a Talent Crunch

Cedric Ceballos, bound for the All-Star game last year before a collision with Denver Nugget center Dikembe Mutombo sidelined him, won’t play this February either largely because of Mutombo.

At least Ceballos was selected in 1995, when a collision with Mutombo resulted in torn thumb ligaments and a seat on the sidelines in Phoenix. This time, the Lakers’ small forward didn’t even get that far.

Results of voting for all-star reserves announced Tuesday showed Western Conference coaches picked three centers for the first time since 1993, eliminating a spot that probably would have gone to a forward. So Ceballos and Portland’s Clifford Robinson, both worthy, were out.

“I wanted to play,” Ceballos said. “But all the players who are going to be there are good players, so you can’t complain about it.”

But you can make a case.

Robinson was the second-highest scoring forward in the league heading into Tuesday’s games, at 23.7 behind only the 26.4 of Karl Malone.

Ceballos was No. 3, at 23.4, good for No. 8 overall. He is also one of only five players in the league averaging at least 23 points and seven rebounds, joining David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwon, Alonzo Mourning and Malone. The other four will be in San Antonio on Feb. 11.

Utah’s Malone was an automatic as a reserve forward. The other spot went to Sean Elliott of the Spurs, averaging 22.3 points.

“I thought there were five easy choices for the coach,” said Laker Coach Del Harris, who was unable to vote for his own players. “[John] Stockton, Malone, [David] Robinson, [Mitch] Richmond and Elliott. On the strength of what their teams have done and what they have done. After that, I didn’t know who might make it.

“People look at our team and see balance, and that’s one thing that might have made a difference.”

The West starters are Hakeem Olajuwon at center, Charles Barkley and Shawn Kemp at forward and Clyde Drexler and Jason Kidd at guard.

There was an obvious name missing from the East reserves too: Dennis Rodman, who is only handily leading the league in rebounding.

Meanwhile, Patrick Ewing was selected for the 10th time. Joining him as East reserves are Cleveland’s Terrell Brandon and Indiana’s Reggie Miller at guard, Mourning at center, and Milwaukee’s Vin Baker, Charlotte’s Glen Rice and Washington’s Juwan Howard at forward.

The East starters are Shaquille O’Neal at center, Grant Hill and Scottie Pippen at forward and Michael Jordan and Anfernee Hardway at guard.

ALL-STAR ROSTERS

Starters and reserves as named for the All-Star game at San Antonio on Feb. 11:

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Starters

*--*

Player Pos. Team Barkley F Phoenix Kemp F Seattle Olajuwon C Houston Drexler G Houston Kidd G Dallas

*--*

Reserves

*--*

Player Pos. Team Robinson C San Antonio Mutombo C Denver Malone F Utah Elliott G San Antonio Payton G Seattle Richmond G Sacramento Stockton G Utah

*--*

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Starters

*--*

Player Pos. Team Hill F Detroit Pippen F Chicago O’Neal C Orlando Hardaway G Orlando Jordan G Indiana

*--*

Reserves

*--*

Player Pos. Team Ewing C New York Mourning C Miami Baker F Milwaukee Howard C Washington Rice G Charlotte Miller G Indiana Brandon G Cleveland

*--*