Howard was beaten out for a Western Conference starting role by a late push from Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, who trailed Howard by 26,000 votes after the third returns of fan balloting. Love wound up edging Howard by just 8,000 votes.

Howard has long been popular with fans, but after a disastrous departure from Orlando and a miserable season with the Lakers, that goodwill has eroded. The NBA also changed its balloting procedures before last season, allowing three forwards to be chosen, instead of two forwards and a center. That hurt Howard’s chances. He led the NBA in All-Star fan votes in 2009 (topping 3 million voted) and 2012, but received just 653,000 votes this year.

Love joins a frontcourt of Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant, who, along with first-time All-Star Stephen Curry, are marking a changing of the guard out West. Those four are all 25 years old or younger (Griffin is 24), and were drafted from 2007 on.

The dean of the West remains Kobe Bryant, voted in despite playing only six games because of an injury to his Achilles' tendon, followed by a knee injury. Bryant has said he won’t play in the game, which means the league will eventually pick a replacement.

In the East, the leading vote-getter was, to no one’s surprise, Heat star LeBron James, who led all players with 1.4 million. On his heels was Pacers forward Paul George, who logged 1.2 million votes, third behind James and Durant. A rather diminutive East forward group will be rounded out by Carmelo Anthony, giving the conference three small forwards up front.

Miami’s Dwyane Wade and Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving were voted in as East starters in the backcourt. Wade has had trouble with his knees and has missed 12 games this season, leaving open the possibility that he, too, won’t play in the All-Star game.


RONDO OFFERED EXTENSION, AINGE SAYS


Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo was the topic of trade rumors less than a week ago, but President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge has made several attempts to put that to bed.

Ainge said that Rondo, who was named team captain this season, will figure heavily in the Celtics' future, and he reaffirmed that in an interview with 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher & Rich (via CBS Boston).

“We did talk to Rondo about extending him,” Ainge admitted. “But that’s all part of the negotiation that will happen again this summer and most likely the summer after. I don’t know (if he will sign an extension), time will tell."

Rondo has yet to sign a deal with the Celtics, and Ainge understands that it could be to Rondo's advantage to wait until he hits free agency after the 2014-15 season.

“In the Collective Bargaining Agreement, there are limits on what can and can’t be done. Really it’s not that Rondo doesn’t want to accept an extension, but it’s just not financially smart for him to accept it right now,” said Ainge. “We didn’t think he would [sign], but we did tried.”

Over the past couple years, Rondo has had one of the most cost-effective contracts in basketball, which can be seen in the fact that his $12 million salary for the 2013-14 is the same as that of forward Kris Humphries.

With the "Big Three" or Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen no longer in Boston, Rondo is the anchor of the Celtics going forward, and Ainge plans to pay him as such. Ainge confirmed that Rondo, an All-Star guard, is likely to receive star money because of the demand he has on the open market.

That demand is based on Rondo's ability to affect a game without scoring. He's one of the best passers in the NBA, and he rebounds well for his position. He also has a strong presence on the floor, and that will be necessary for a team like Boston, which is in the process of rebuilding its roster.

“He does a lot out there on the court just to keep us organized. He’s feeling his way and it’s about what we expected,” Ainge said. “There’s an adjustment period coming back physically and getting over the mental hurdle of pushing himself through some tough situations.”


BARGS GAFFE




New York Knicks center Andrea Bargnani suffered a torn ligament in his left elbow in the third quarter of his team's 110-106 Wednesday loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and is out indefinitely, the team announced.

Bargnani has served as the Knicks big men while Tyson Chandler and Amare Stoudemire have come and gone in the lineup with injury problems.

At 2:40 in the third quarter, Bargnani drove to the basket and attempted a dunk. He was fouled on the play and broke his fall with his left hand, which resulted in the left elbow injury.

Bargnani is the latest Knicks player to be hurt in an injury-plagued season. Chandler, Stoudemire, Raymond Felton and Pablo Prigioni are all rotation players who have been knocked out for injury.


NEW NETS LOOK


The Brooklyn Nets will pay tribute to the boroughs' famous baseball team on March 21 against the Boston Celtics when the team dons an alternate "Brooklyn Blue Nights" uniform,  according to ESPN's Darren Rovell.

The sleeved jersey features the classic blue "Brooklyn" text and grey background. The team will wear the uniforms four other times before the end of the 2013-2014 season.

Fans will be able to purchase the jerseys at retail, with prices ranging from $50 to $110.

The Dodgers played in Brooklyn from 1885 until 1957, when they relocated to Los Angeles. 


ANTIC DOWN


Atlanta Hawks center Pero Antic has a stress fracture in his right ankle and is expected to miss two to four weeks.

The loss of Antic leaves the Hawks thin on their front line as they prepare to play San Antonio on Friday night. Antic has been Atlanta's primary replacement for Al Horford, who was lost for the season when he tore his right pectoral muscle on Dec. 26.

Antic suffered a mild right ankle sprain in the Hawks' loss to the Nets in London on Jan. 16. A follow-up examination in Atlanta on Thursday revealed the stress fracture. Antic was placed in a protective walking boot.

Forward DeMarre Carroll left Wednesday night's win in Orlando with a mild strain to his left hamstring. His status is day to day.

Contributors: DeAntae Prince, Troy Machir, The Associated Press