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    USA - Pau Gasol has a shot at All-Star team

    Phil Jackson can't vote for one of his players, but he's behind his forward, who was on the team in 2006. On Thursday, Lakers forward Pau Gasol will find out whether he has been selected to the Western Conference All-Star team. His coach, Phil Jackson, will be coach the West team, and his teammate, Kobe Bryant, will be on the team as a starter.

    From www.latimes.com
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    Phil Jackson can't vote for one of his players, but he's behind his forward, who was on the team in 2006.

    On Thursday, Lakers forward Pau Gasol will find out whether he has been selected to the Western Conference All-Star team.

    His coach, Phil Jackson, will be coach the West team, and his teammate, Kobe Bryant, will be on the team as a starter.

    The West coaches vote for the reserve players in their conference, but they can't vote for a player on their own team. The coaches' votes were due Tuesday and they had to decide on two forwards, two guards, one center and two wild cards.

    "I would love to be a part of it," said Gasol, who played in the 2006 All-Star game while with the Memphis Grizzlies. "I think it's something that gives me a lot of pride and I think it's an honor to be a part of that game. The coaches are the people who watch you every day and know what you contribute to the league."

    Gasol, who had a rare off game against Charlotte on Tuesday, was seventh in the voting for West forwards, behind starters Tim Duncan of San Antonio and Amare Stoudemire of Phoenix. He probably will be in a race at forward with Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki and Denver's Carmelo Anthony.

    When asked if Gasol deserved to be selected to the All-Star team, Jackson was emphatic.

    "Oh, without a doubt," Jackson said. "I said, 'I won't be actively soliciting votes for him. I won't go out and call coaches. I think your play speaks for itself.' "

    Gasol, averaging 17.5 points and 9.0 rebounds before Tuesday night's game when he made only four of 16 shots, has been a big part of the Lakers' success since he arrived almost a year ago in a trade from the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 1.

    The Lakers haven't lost more than two consecutive games since Gasol joined the team.

    "Feb. [1] is like a holiday, seriously," Gasol said, smiling. "I do realize that it's a special date for me and I'll remember it for a long time I think."

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