Western Conference coaches voted Phoenix center Shaquille O’Neal and New Orleans forward David West and Los Angeles Laker Pau Gasol into next month’s All Star Game, passing over young Al Jefferson for his first All Star Game appearance in the process.

The  coaches’ decision valued winning over individualism.

O’Neal was designated the Western Conference team’s obligatory reserve center even though he often does not play in one game of back-to-back situations. At age 36, he made the All-Star Game for a 15th time and will stay home to play; Phoenix hosts the Feb. 15 game. His 15 appearances is second most in NBA history to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 19 games.

Jefferson’s 22.7 point and 10.5 rebound averages are superior to the other three aforementioned players, but O’Neal’s Suns are 25-18, the Hornets are 28-14 and the Lakers are 35-9 while the Wolves are 16-28 (although 10-3 in January).

Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, San Antonio’s Tony Parker, Portland’s Brandon Roy and Denver’s Chauncey Billups are the other reserves selected.

Funny, but all the West reserves come from winning teams. East reserves Chris Bosh from Toronto, Danny Granger from Indiana and New Jersey’s Devin Harris all play for teams with losing records.

Like Jefferson, Denver’s Carmelo Anthony, Utah’s Carmelo Anthony, Phoenix’s Steve Nash, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Utah’s Paul Millsap didn’t make the cut.

“I’m ready for it to be over with,” Jefferson said after Thursday’s practice and before the reserves were announced. “If I make it, I’m happy. If I don’t, put it behind me and keep moving forward.”

When asked if Jefferson’s selection would be important for the organization, Wolves coach Kevin McHale said, “No. Do you think Al is going to play better? Al’s played great. I don’t think if Al makes it to an an All-Star team that Al will turn into Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. I think he’ll probably be Al Jefferson tomorrow whether or not he makes the thing…I can tell you: Al’s played like an All Star. Al deserves to be an All Star.”

There’s always next year for a fifth-year pro who turned 24 early this month.

“He’ll make a lot of them,” McHale said. “You miss a couple early in your career when you should have gotten them, and you make some later in your career when you have no business making it and your reputation gets you there.
“It’ll all equal out for him.”

The reserves for both East and West teams was announced on TNT’s pre-game show Thursday evening.

“I’m really disappointed for the simple fact he had great numbers,” said former NBA star Gary Payton, one of TNT’s All-Star announcement commentators. “Now that he’s got his name out there and got it buzzing, next year will be a lot easier for him. He’ll come out and get these type of numbers again and his team will be a little better because I think Kevin McHale will add some stuff and he’ll be an All Star next year. But I’m really disappointed he didn’t make it.”

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