Blazers F LaMarcus Aldridge Named To 2013 Western Conference All-Star Team As Reserve

Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge was selected as a reserve on the 2013 Western Conference All-Star team on Thursday. This marks Aldridge's second consecutive All-Star appearance; he was selected to his first All-Star team in 2012.

Aldridge did not sound confident that he would be selected on Wednesday.

"I don't think so. I don't think so, but anything's possible. I thought last year our record was better and this year it's not as good. It doesn't bother me. That first one was hard. If I don't get in, I'm not going to worry about it."

Marc Stein of ESPN.com first reported the news on Twitter. Jason Quick of The Oregonian reported on Twitter that Aldridge will receive a "$250,000 for making his second All-Star team.

The Blazers sent out a fact sheet making Aldridge's All-Star case on Monday. Aldridge finished 11th among Western Conference frontcourt players during a fan vote, earning more than 180,000 votes.

Aldridge, 27, is averaging 20.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals in 38.0 minutes per game.

The 2013 All-Star Game will be played in Houston's Toyota Center on Sunday, Feb. 17.

Here are the full rosters...

Western Conference Starters: Chris Paul (Clippers), Kobe Bryant (Lakers), Kevin Durant (Thunder), Blake Griffin (Clippers), Dwight Howard (Lakers)

Western Conference Reserves: LaMarcus Aldridge (Blazers), Tim Duncan (Spurs), James Harden (Rockets), David Lee (Warriors), Tony Parker (Spurs), Zach Randolph (Grizzlies), Russell Westbrook (Thunder)

Eastern Conference Starters: Rajon Rondo (Celtics), Dwyane Wade (Heat), LeBron James (Heat), Carmelo Anthony (Knicks), Kevin Garnett (Celtics)

Eastern Conference Reserves: Chris Bosh (Heat), Tyson Chandler (Knicks), Luol Deng (Bulls), Paul George (Pacers), Jrue Holiday (Sixers), Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers), Joakim Noah (Bulls)

Here's a release from the Blazers.

Portland Trail Blazers forward/center LaMarcus Aldridge was named a 2013 NBA All-Star reserve by a vote of Western Conference head coaches, it was announced today by the league.

Aldridge will make his second consecutive trip to the NBA All-Star Game after making his first career appearance in 2012. He is the 11th player in franchise history to be selected an All-Star multiple times and the eighth to earn the distinction in consecutive seasons.

"Everyone in the Trail Blazers family is proud that the work and dedication LaMarcus shows on a daily basis to this organization was recognized by the opposing coaches in the Western Conference," said Trail Blazers General Manager Neil Olshey.

Aldridge, 27, ranks ninth in the NBA in scoring with 20.7 points per game to go with 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.95 steals and 1.28 blocks in 40 games (all starts) this season. Portland's leader in scoring and blocked shots, Aldridge has led the Trail Blazers in scoring 15 times, rebounding 16 times and blocks on 22 occasions.

"I'm very happy for LaMarcus, he is the foundation of what we are building here," said Trail Blazers Head Coach Terry Stotts. "He is very deserving of this honor and I'm glad he was recognized by my fellow coaches."

The Dallas native joins Miami's LeBron James as the NBA's only two players averaging at least 20 points and eight rebounds this season. Aldridge is also the league's only player averaging at least 20 points while committing no more than two turnovers per game.

Aldridge has enjoyed a stellar month of January in which he ranks tied for second in the NBA with nine double-doubles and sits 11th in rebounding (10.5).

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com |Twitter