The outcry over Timberwolves forward Kevin Love not being chosen as a Western Conference reserve for the NBA All-Star Game might be short-lived.
NBA Commissioner David Stern has to name a player to replace Houston center Yao Ming, who was voted in as a starter by fans but is out for the season because of a fractured ankle. One of the West reserves, most likely San Antonio's Tim Duncan, will be moved into the starting lineup to replace Yao, creating an opening for the Feb. 20 game in Los Angeles.
"It still would be a tremendous honor for me if Stern picks me," Love said after arriving in Toronto for tonight's game against the Raptors. "It doesn't matter how I make it ... as long as I get there. I feel I've been playing at a high level this season."
Love, leading the NBA in rebounding (15.5) and double-doubles (43), appears to be the people's choice, but the decision is up to Stern. After the East and West reserves were announced Thursday night on TNT, the network conducted a viewer poll on which player not picked by the head coaches was most deserving of a West roster spot.
Love was a landslide winner with 43.6 percent of the votes, topping Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge (22.3 percent), Golden State's Monta Ellis (16.5 percent), Phoenix's Steve Nash (15 percent) and Memphis' Zach Randolph (2.5 percent).
"It's a disappointment that Kevin wasn't picked," Wolves coach Kurt Rambis said. "He deserves to be there. This gives him a source of motivation to continue to work on his game and get better."
TNT studio analyst Charles Barkley said it was a "travesty" that Love was not on the West roster.
"You can talk all the crap you want about a team's record," Barkley said. "Kevin Love is leading the league in rebounds. Guys on a bad team can fake scoring. You can't fake rebounds. If you're getting rebounds, you're out there busting your hump."
Coaches in the Eastern and Western conferences were required to pick seven reserves but could not vote for players on their team or in the opposite conference. The coaches had to pick one center, two guards and two forwards. They also had two wild-card selections to use for a player at any position.
Players chosen ahead of Love were Duncan, forwards Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas, Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers and guards Manu Ginobili of San Antonio, Deron Williams of Utah and Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City.
The remainder of the West's starting lineup consists of guards Kobe Bryant of the Lakers and Chris Paul of New Orleans and forwards Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City and Carmelo Anthony of Denver.
Love said he was "a little upset but not bitter" about the coaches' decisions. When Love heard Dallas coach Rick Carlisle say a few days ago that he would mostly consider players on "winning teams" for the reserve spots, Love said he knew his chances would be limited.
"Our record (11-37) had to be the deciding factor," Love said. "That's what it comes down to for me. I know what I'm capable of doing, and I know I deserve to be an all-star."
Coaches and league observers have commented that Love is having an all-star season. He has been one of the league's most consistent players, averaging 21.4 points and riding a streak of 34 consecutive double-doubles.
Love ranks fifth in scoring among West forwards and fifth in the West overall in three-point shooting (43.9 percent) behind San Antonio's Matt Bonner (50.4 percent), Paul (45.3 percent) and Denver's Chauncey Billups (44.6 percent) and Arron Afflalo (44.5 percent).
Love's versatility as a scorer and rebounder has raised his profile around the NBA and brought national attention to the Wolves despite the team's record, which is second-worst in the league. Love became the first NBA player in 28 years to have 30 points and 30 rebounds in a game with his 31-point, 31-rebound performance against New York on Nov. 12.
Though Love said the final decision might have come down to the Wolves' record, he said he won't pass up many opportunities to make an impression on coaches the rest of the season.
"It's something I'll keep in the back of my mind," Love said of the voting. "I'll keep things rolling and play with a chip on my shoulder."
The Heat bench really needs to wake up. 
