Shaq Added to All-Star Reserves

Shaquille O’Neal was selected for his 11th consecutive All-Star game Tuesday, the past two as a backup to Houston center Yao Ming.

He joins Kobe Bryant on the Western Conference team for the game to be played Feb. 15 at Staples Center. Bryant is on the injured list because of a lacerated right index finger, though he could be healed in time for the game.

In the wake of his suspension for cursing on live television this weekend, O’Neal declined to speak at length Tuesday, the day the NBA announced its reserves for both conference teams. He has sat out three of the last six All-Star games because of injuries.

The West team added Seattle’s Ray Allen, Minnesota’s Sam Cassell, Utah’s Andrei Kirilenko, Sacramento’s Brad Miller and Peja Stojakovic, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki and O’Neal to a starting five of Bryant, San Antonio’s Tim Duncan, Houston’s Steve Francis, Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett and Yao.

East reserves are Indiana’s Ron Artest, New Orleans’ Baron Davis and Jamaal Magloire, New Jersey’s Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin, Boston’s Paul Pierce and Milwaukee’s Michael Redd. Its starters are Toronto’s Vince Carter, Orlando’s Tracy McGrady, Detroit’s Ben Wallace, Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal and Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson.

Rookies LeBron James of the Eastern Conference and Carmelo Anthony of the Western Conference were left off, leaving them to the rookie game at Staples on Feb. 13.

“Not making it just tells me I’ve got to work harder,” James said. “I’ve been earning a lot of things this year -- earning the respect of players, the respect of refs. That’s another thing I’ve got to earn, to be a part of the elite group. “

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Associated Press contributed to this report.

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NBA All-Star Game Rosters

Western and Eastern Conference starters and reserves for the 53rd All-Star game Feb. 15 at Staples Center:

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WESTERN CONFERENCE

Head coach: Flip Saunders (Minnesota)

*--* Player (No. of times selected) Team Pos. Ht. Wt. STARTERS Kobe Bryant (6) Lakers G 6-6 220 Steve Francis (3) Houston G 6-3 200 Tim Duncan (6) San Antonio F 7-0 260 Kevin Garnett (7) Minnesota F 6-11 240 Yao Ming (2) Houston C 7-6 310 RESERVES Ray Allen (4) Seattle G 6-5 205 Sam Cassell (1) Minnesota G 6-3 185 Andrei Kirilenko (1) Utah F 6-9 225 Brad Miller (2) Sacramento C 7-0 261 Dirk Nowitzki (3) Dallas F/C 7-0 245 Shaquille O’Neal (11) Lakers C 7-1 340 Peja Stojakovic (3) Sacramento F 6-10 229

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EASTERN CONFERENCE

Head coach: Rick Carlisle (Indiana)

*--* Player (No. of times selected) Team Pos. Ht. Wt. STARTERS Allen Iverson (5) Philadelphia G 6-0 165 Tracy McGrady (4) Orlando G/F 6-8 210 Vince Carter (5) Toronto G 6-6 225 Jermaine O’Neal (3) Indiana C/F 6-11 242 Ben Wallace (2) Detroit C 6-9 240 RESERVES Ron Artest (1) Indiana F 6-7 246 Baron Davis (2) New Orleans G 6-3 223 Jason Kidd (7) New Jersey G 6-4 212 Jamaal Magloire (1) New Orleans C 6-11 259 Kenyon Martin (1) New Jersey F 6-9 234 Paul Pierce (3) Boston G/F 6-6 230 Michael Redd (1) Milwaukee G 6-6 215

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