Utah Jazz notes: No All-Stars named for Jazz

For the first time since 2006, the Utah Jazz won't have a representative at the NBA's All-Star Game.

Utah's leading candidates — Deron Williams, Paul Millsap and Mehmet Okur — each got a sub snub and weren't named among the seven Western Conference All-Star reserves by NBA coaches.

While giving Jazz players the upcoming Phoenix-hosted All-Star Weekend off, coaches voted to reward guards Chauncey Billups (Denver), Tony Parker (San Antonio) and Brandon Roy (Portland) along with big men Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas), Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers), David West (New Orleans) and Shaquille O'Neal (Phoenix).

The West's fan-chosen starters include Chris Paul (New Orleans), Kobe Bryant (Lakers), Amare Stoudemire (Phoenix), Tim Duncan (San Antonio) and Yao Ming (Houston).

Before the announcement was made Thursday evening, Ronnie Brewer said at practice he thought the Jazz trio "had a good chance to make the team.'

Carlos Boozer was an All-Star the past two seasons, and Okur earned the merit in 2007. The Jazz's most-recent honoree prior to that was Andrei Kirilenko in '04.

Brewer wouldn't be surprised if Williams used not being named again as motivation. The Jazz point guard was named second-team All-NBA last season and was selected as a U.S. Olympian last summer but has yet to receive All-Star recognition.

"I think he takes it personally — for getting snubbed," Brewer said.

Missing 13 games with a severely sprained ankle certainly didn't help Williams' cause. Utah's 25-21 record likely didn't do any of the Jazz players any favors, either.

"Hopefully, he'll get to be an All-Star player. We think he is and all that," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, who voted for seven players but as per NBA rules couldn't select any of his own guys. "But I can't say he's got to play, it's not my job. Other people have to pick him."

Sloan didn't divulge whom he voted for, but he said the Jazz staff try to be "as fair as we can" while evaluating potential All-Stars. The two-time NBA All-Star with the Chicago Bulls doesn't believe in playing games or trading votes.

While extra time off in mid-February might be ideal for his players, Sloan also said he likes for them to be part of the festivities.

"I wish all of our guys could be on the All-Star team," he said. "But the bottom line is you've got to look and see how much you win and things like that, and evaluate how guys are playing.