Brook Lopez Named To Eastern Conference All-Star Squad
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Better late than never.
Brook Lopez will represent Brooklyn next month on the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
Lopez was selected by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace Boston's Rajon Rondo, the league announced Wednesday. Rondo's season came to an early end with an ACL tear in his right knee.
Lopez is averaging 18.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks this season.
One of the conference's top teams at 27-18, the Nets were initially shut out of the festivities. No Lopez, no Deron Williams and no Joe Johnson.
"I think you can very easily and intellectually make a case for all three of our guys having been on the team," Nets interim coach P.J. Carlesimo said last week. "Couple it with the fact that we're up high in the Eastern Conference, it's just disappointing. It's just disappointing the coaches didn't see it that way."
Lopez will join an East squad that includes two Knicks: All-Star starter Carmelo Anthony and reserve Tyson Chandler.
The East head coach, likely Erik Spoelstra of Miami, will decide who replaces Rondo in the starting lineup for the Feb. 17 game in Houston.
"I thought he was an All-Star this year," Williams said of Lopez after the initial snub. "He's been the most consistent for us all year long and has played great basketball."
We can all agree Brook deserved the honor, right? Sound off in the comments...
(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
