Rookie Wright Flattered by Selection

Clipper swingman Lorenzen Wright, selected to replace injured forward Semaki Walker of the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Rookie All-Star game on Feb. 8 in Cleveland, said he was honored to be added to the team.

“I was happy, but I didn’t make it at first so it wasn’t as big a thrill for me as it would have been if I’d made it the first time, so it’s just going to make me go out and work harder,” Wright said.

Wright, the seventh pick in the 1996 draft, has averaged 8.5 points and 6.4 rebounds in 18 games as a starter.

“I think it will be a great experience for him,” Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said. “I think he’s worked hard enough to deserve something like that.”

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Fitch said center Stanley Roberts, who was held out of Saturday night’s 110-98 victory over the Golden State Warriors, will probably play against center Shaquille O’Neal and the Lakers in Tuesday night’s game at the Pond of Anaheim.

“That might be a good night to undress Stanley,” Fitch said of Roberts, who has played 14 minutes in two games after being activated last week.

Roberts, who sat out 24 games because of a back injury, missed five of eight shots and had eight points and three rebounds in a 107-100 loss to the Lakers on Nov. 15 at the Forum.