Jordan Joins All-Stars but Malone Is Left Out

Michael Jordan is an All-Star for the 14th time, while Karl Malone won’t be for the first time since 1987.

Jerry Stackhouse and Jalen Rose also aren’t going to the league’s showcase event Feb. 9 in Atlanta -- and both felt snubbed.

“I can’t sit here and say it’s not disappointing,” Stackhouse said Tuesday.

The 29 NBA coaches voted for seven reserves from each conference. Chosen from the East along with Jordan were Jason Kidd of New Jersey, Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker of Boston, Brad Miller of Indiana, Zydrunas Ilgauskas of Cleveland and Jamal Mashburn of New Orleans.

The Western Conference reserves are Shaquille O’Neal of the Lakers, Stephon Marbury and Shawn Marion of Phoenix, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas, Gary Payton of Seattle and Chris Webber of Sacramento.

Jordan called it a privilege to be able to return to the game in what he says will be his last season.

“It gives my kids a chance to go and see some of the up-and-coming stars,” said Jordan, who needs 10 points to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (251) for most career points in All-Star games.

He moved into a tie with Malone and Jerry West for the second-most All-Star selections in NBA history behind Abdul-Jabbar’s 19.

Other notable players passed over included Indiana’s Ron Artest, Dallas’ Michael Finley and Golden State’s Antawn Jamison.

Malone, who had been chosen every year since 1988, said, “I got nominated 14 times, but they don’t pick you now, what can you do about it?”

The starters for the East will be Detroit’s Ben Wallace, Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal, Orlando’s Tracy McGrady, Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson and Toronto’s Vince Carter.

Houston’s Steve Francis and Yao Ming, Kobe Bryant of the Lakers, Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett and San Antonio’s Tim Duncan will start for the West.

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New Orleans Hornet point guard Baron Davis probably will be sidelined about six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, the team said.... Russ Granik, the NBA’s deputy commissioner, underwent prostate cancer surgery on Monday. Granik, 54, probably will return to work in three weeks.