New York, UNITED STATES, February 3, 2004 (agencies) - Predrag Stojakovic of Sacramento Kings selected to his 3rd All-Star Game, headline today's announcement of the reserves for the 2004 NBA All-Star Game, to be played on Sunday, Feb. 15 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The 14 players selected - seven each from the Eastern and Western Conferences - were chosen by a vote of the 29 NBA head coaches. The coaches were asked to vote for seven players in their respective conferences - two guards, two forwards, one center and two players regardless of position. They were not permitted to vote for players from their own team.
Serbian player, a 6ft 10in forward, is averaging 25.2 points to help the Kings overcome the absence of Chris Webber and lead the Pacific Division.
He is shooting better than 42 percent from the arc and will be joined on the West squad by teammate Brad Miller.
The selections of Kirilenko (Russia), Magloire (Canada), Nowitzki (Germany) and Stojakovic (Serbia-Montenegro) along with voted-starters Duncan (U.S. Virgin Islands) and Yao (China), gives the 2004 All-Star Game six international players, tying the 2003 All-Star Game record for the most international All-Stars in one year.
Stojakovic will also head a field of six in the 3-point-shooting contest during the NBA All-Star weekend.
A victory will enable two-time defending champion to join Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only players to win three years in a row.
Brent Barry and Rashard Lewis of Seattle, Chauncey Billups of Detroit,
Voshon Lenard of Denver and Cuttino Mobley of Houston will try to stop
Stojakovic in the competition Feb. 14 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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