Kobe Bryant was selected tonight as a starter for the Western Conference All-Star team. No surprise there since he had been one of the top vote-getters all along. Bryant will make his 11th All-Star appearance Feb. 15 in Phoenix. But the Lakers believe Pau Gasol should be selected to the team when reserves are announced next Thursday.
“We think it’s pretty obvious in the difference in our team between the acquisition of Pau Gasol and what we were before that,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.
Jackson, who will coach the West, said lobbying has already began by coaches on behalf of their players.”I don’t do that,” he said. “I think the play should stand on its own. I think (Lakers public relations czar) John Black should do that, but I won’t. … It’s ridiculous. If a guy hasn’t merited (selection), those things aren’t going to help.”
Of his own selection as coach of the Western Conference-leading Lakers, he deadpanned, “I’m really looking forward to it. I can hardly wait.” Jackson will be an All-Star coach for the fourth time in his career.