Teen Flash Wins A Start With Stars

Kobe Bryant, the 19-year-old reserve for the Los Angeles Lakers, will be the youngest starter in the history of the NBA All-Star Game.

Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls was the leading vote-getter for the Feb. 8 game in New York, the ninth time in his career he received the most votes from the fans.

The starting lineups for the Eastern and Western conference teams were announced by the league Sunday, and Bryant’s selection was a surprise given he does not even start for his own club. He is averaging 17.3 points and 26 minutes a game.

“Last year, when I participated in the slam dunk contest, the whole atmosphere surrounding All-Star weekend was so exciting,” Bryant said. “This year, to be playing in the All-Star game with all the greatest players in the league is going to be a great thrill again.”

Jordan, who received 1,028,235 votes, will open at guard for the East. Others voted to the East starting team were guard Penny Hardaway of Orlando, forwards Grant Hill of Detroit and Shawn Kemp of Cleveland and center Dikembe Mutombo of Atlanta.

Hardaway, who is injured, will be replaced on the East roster. Third in voting among the guards was Tim Hardaway of Miami, no relation.

Joining Bryant in the starting West backcourt will be Gary Payton of Seattle, with Karl Malone of Utah and Kevin Garnett of Minnesota at forward and Shaquille O’Neal of the Lakers at center.

“Even though I missed 21 games, the fans still thought I was the best center in the West, so that means a lot to me,” O’Neal said.

Before Bryant, the youngest All-Star starter was Magic Johnson of the Lakers in the 1980 game. At the time, Johnson was 20 years old.