NBA adds Wade, Nowitzki to All-Star player pool

MIAMI — Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki and Miami's Dwyane Wade are both NBA champions, NBA Finals MVPs and longtime ambassadors for the game of basketball.

And now, one more time, they're All-Stars.

By special order of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Wade and Nowitzki were added Friday to the pool of players for the All-Star Game that will be played in Charlotte on Feb 17. Each team will now have 13 players instead of the customary 12, and LeBron James — one of the captains — will be the one who decides which side Wade and Nowitzki will be joining.

"Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade embody the best of the NBA: remarkable skill, drive and professionalism as well as a deep devotion to strengthening their communities and growing the game around the world," Silver said.

"As a global celebration of basketball, our All-Star Game is an ideal setting to salute these first-class NBA champions and Finals MVPs."

Also Friday, Silver announced that Brooklyn's D'Angelo Russell will make his All-Star debut. Russell will replace injured Indiana star Victor Oladipo.

Wade, who is retiring after 16 seasons, will be an All-Star for the 13th time. Nowitzki is heading to the All-Star Game for the 14th time, and has yet to officially say if his 21st season with the Mavericks will be the final one of his career.

"Looking forward to sharing that stage with y'all again 1 last time," James wrote on Twitter.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who is planning a beach getaway over the All-Star break and wasn't thinking about watching the All-Star matchup, said he might have to amend his plans and be in front of a television for the game.

AP