"You're going to have nobody from Utah on the floor," Johnson said. "How 'bout Deron Williams? How about Mehmet Okur?"

Center Okur and point guard Williams were the Jazz's other two All-Star hopefuls, and both remain eligible to be tapped when NBA commissioner David Stern — who may also factor Anthony's suspension into his decision — names an injury replacement for Yao at a to-be-determined date.

Ditto should Stern also need to replace Boozer, who seemed surprised both teammates were snubbed.

"I'm biased," Boozer said. "I feel like Memo (Okur) was playing good enough to be in as a center ... And I thought Deron had a great chance, an equal chance as (Spurs point) Tony Parker."

Yet he isn't sure either has a chance now.

"Besides (those) 15 games (Anthony) missed, he easily could have been thought about as an MVP candidate with the way he's played," Boozer said. "I wouldn't be surprised if he's selected as Yao's replacement."

As for his own selection, Boozer — who is averaging a career-high 22.1 points and career-high 11.8 rebounds this season — believes it's well-deserved.

"I was really excited, of course, to see myself up there with some of the other great players in the NBA," said Boozer, a 2004 United States Olympian.

"I think it makes a huge statement," he added, memories of the frustration of his first two years in Utah being marred by a 31-game absence due to a foot injury two seasons ago and a 49-game absence because of a hamstring injury last season — not to mention the criticism he received from Jazz owner Larry H. Miller over his play back in the 2004-05 season. "I mean, there have been a lot of things said ... But (this) just silences a lot of critics. Not only does it prove I belong but also that I'm one of the elite players in the league."

As for whether he will be one of the elite actually playing in Las Vegas, Boozer — who'll travel there either way — vows the issue is not nearly as much of a closed case as TNT evidently believes.

To that end, he said he'll continue to ice the knee, use a bone stimulator to promote healing, drink as much milk as he can — and refuse to view Thursday's honor as bittersweet, even in light of a terrifically ill-timed injury.

"It's not bitter to me at all, because I'm really excited that the coaches voted me in," Boozer said. "I can't even put into words how sweet it is for me. I wouldn't put bitter into it at all, because there's still a chance I can play."

NOTES: Eastern Conference reserves named Thursday were Detroit teammates Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton, New Jersey teammates Jason Kidd and Vince Carter, Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal and first-timers Caron Butler of Washington and Dwight Howard of Orlando. They'll join starters LeBron James (Cleveland), Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade (Miami), Chris Bosh (Toronto) and Gilbert Arenas (Washington). Eastern snubs include Chicago's Ben Gordan, New York's Eddy Curry and Milwaukee's Michael Redd ... Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is lobbying for Dallas center Erick Dampier to get into the All-Star Game. "I heard that if the league decides if they're going to go with a real center to replace Yao, then it's between Damp and (the Jazz's) Okur," Cuban told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "So we're making the calls, and we're making the push, because I'd love to see Damp there." ... The Jazz still plan a roster addition to address Boozer's absence, perhaps via a 10-day contract signing. They discussed bringing in big man Hiram Fuller for a workout and haven't ruled out re-signing recently waived rookie swingman Roger Powell Jr

All-Star Weekend, Jazz style

NAMED TO THE BIG GAME

Western Conference reserve Carlos Boozer

ROOKIE-SOPHOMORE CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS

Rookie power forward Paul Millsap

Sophomore point guard Deron Williams

UTAH'S TOP INJURY-REPLACEMENT HOPEFUL

Usual starting center Mehmet Okur

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com