This roster included the league's very best stars, a truly dazzling collection of talent. The New York Knicks had three players selected—Li Fei, Allan Houston, and Sprewell—once again demonstrating their formidable strength as the new rulers of the East.
However, the day after the roster was announced, unexpected news arrived.
Grant Hill of the Detroit Pistons announced that he would withdraw from all events during this All-Star Weekend after his ankle injury flared up again.
According to league rules, when a player withdrew due to injury, NBA Commissioner David Stern would designate a replacement.
Everyone assumed Stern would choose Jalen Rose of the Pacers or "Penny" Hardaway of the Orlando Magic.
But Stern's final choice sent every New York fan into a frenzy.
"After careful consideration, I have decided that the New York Knicks' center, Arvydas Sabonis of Lithuania, will be selected as a replacement for the Eastern Conference All-Stars."
The moment the news broke, all of New York erupted!
Sabonis! A legendary center who had long been deified in European basketball but only arrived in the NBA in the twilight of his career, he had finally caught the last flight to Oakland at the buzzer, thanks to his core playmaking role on both ends for the Knicks this season, along with his steady and outstanding performances!
With that, the New York Knicks had four players selected for this year's All-Star Game!
Li Fei, Allan Houston, Sprewell, Sabonis.
This new City in the Sky declared its dominance to the entire league with an unmatched presence.
Oakland's starlight was about to shine even brighter because of this blue from Big Apple City.
On the night the final All-Star rosters were announced, a special roundtable discussion was underway at TNT's Atlanta studio. Under the spotlights sat three towering figures in basketball