But the NBA evidently is strong-arming the Los Angeles Lakers' star guard into playing despite his injury, so Williams must watch tonight as a fan in the stands.

The future, Boozer thinks, could be different.

Even with a deep stable of talented guards in the West, he feels next year could be a breakthrough one for Williams as an NBA All-Star.

"If we win next year like we're winning now," Boozer said of a Jazz team that has lost just once in its last 13 games, "I think he'll be in next season."

HE SAID IT: Western Conference coach Byron Scott, on not being an All-Star during his playing career: "I have three championship rings. That's a lot more important to me."

MISC.: Williams has an endorsement deal with VitaminWater, a new sports-drink company. Boozer, however, is a member of Team POWERade — along with fellow All-Stars Carmelo Anthony, Paul Pierce and Amare Stoudemire. The four could be seen together on larger-than-life billboards in New Orleans this weekend ... According to a news release about sales records compiled heading into All-Star Weekend by StubHub, an online ticket broker, the Jazz, at $38, "have the lowest average (resale) ticket prices in the NBA ... routinely being snatched up far below box office prices." ... Seen signing autographs Saturday at the NBA Jam Session: ex-Jazz guard John Starks.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com