2009 All-Star Rosters Set

(2009 All-Star Logo from NBA.com)

The 2009 NBA All-Star rosters are official for this year's game in Phoenix. There will be several first-timers making the trip to play in the mid-season NBA classic, with guards Devin Harris of the Nets and Jameer Nelson of the Magic suiting up in the East along with Forward Danny Granger of the Pacers. The West continues to follow tradition with its lineup which includes all returning players, as well as newcomer to the West, Denver's Chauncey Billups. Billups makes his 4th trip to the game after 3 appearances with the Pistons, while the hometown hero, Steve Nash was not selected for the first time since 2004. Pau Gasol, Chris Paul, Brandon Roy and David West all make just their 2nd appearance in the game, while starters Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan have been at least 10 times each. Phoenix Suns Center Shaquille O'Neal, who was named to the bench, makes his 15th All-Star appearance. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has more trips to the game with 19.

Starting players were voted on by fans via the internet and paper ballots, while the reserves were chosen by the league's 30 head coaches. Coaches were asked to choose two guards, two forwards, one center and two other players regardless of position from their conferences.

Eastern Conference Starters:

Allen Iverson (G) (Detroit)
Dwyane Wade (G) (Miami)
Lebron James (F) (Cleveland)
Kevin Garnett (F) (Boston)
Dwight Howard (C) (Orlando)

Eastern Conference Reserves:

Devin Harris (G) (New Jersey)
Jameer Nelson (G) (Orlando)
Joe Johnson (G) (Atlanta)
Danny Granger (F) (Indiana)
Rashard Lewis (F) (Orlando)
Paul Pierce (F) (Boston)
Chris Bosh (F/C) (Toronto)

Western Conference Starters:

Chris Paul (G) (New Orleans)
Kobe Bryant (G) (Los Angeles)
Tim Duncan (F) (San Antonio)
Amare Stoudamire (F) (Phoenix)
Yao Ming (C) (Houston)

Western Conference Reserves:

Chauncey Billups (G) (Denver)
Pau Gasol (F) (Los Angeles)
Dirk Nowitzki (F) (Dallas)
Tony Parker (G) (San Antonio)
Brandon Roy (G) (Portland)
David West (F) (New Orleans)
Shaquille O'Neal (C) (Phoenix)

Coaching the East squad will either be Mike Brown of the Cavs or Stan Van Gundy of the Magic, depending on which team has the best winning % through this weekend's games. Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson takes charge of the West. The All Star game will be the 58th edition, played in Phoenix at the US Airways Center on February 15th, 2009.