LOS ANGELES -- He doesn't have the flashy nickname of Utah's Karl Malone, but soft-spoken A.C. Green of the Los Angeles Lakers does own something the Mailman's missing -- a starting spot in next month's NBA All-Star Game.
In the closest fan balloting by position, Green nipped Malone for the Western Conference's second forward berth. He collected 160,788 votes, just 2,265 behind Laker teammate James Worthy and 1,226 ahead of Malone.
'I was surprised,' Green said Thursday night before heading out to watch alma mater Oregon State play Southern Cal in a Pacific-10 basketball game at the Sports Arena.
'I knew I was up in the balloting, in the position (to earn a starting berth). But I didn't know for sure. I've never seen any numbers as far as where I was ranked.'
Green, averaging 14.4 points and 9.6 rebounds in his fifth NBA season, will make his first All-Star appearance. He and Worthy will be joined by teammate Magic Johnson in the West's starting lineup at Miami Feb. 11. Los Angeles' Pat Riley will coach the team.
'I'm real happy James and Earvin will be there,' Green said. 'I feel like now it's more like a Laker game. They will take some of pressure and the jitterbugs out.'
Malone, named the Most Valuable Player of last year's game, certainly has statistics superior to his Laker counterpart. He entered Thursday night's game among the NBA leaders in scoring with 30.4 points a game and rebounds with 10.9.
'I'm not worried about (not starting),' Malone, who should make the team as a reserve, said before Utah's game with New York at the Salt Palace.
'I'm worried when the All-Star Game is going to be played because we're on a role right now (the Jazz had won seven straight). I don't want to see anything interfere with that.'
Green, 26, would not defend his selection. 'I have nothing to say in that sense,' he said. 'This is the fans' vote. It's always out of our control.'
One of the league's hardest workers, Green has missed just three games in his NBA career. The 6-foot-9 power forward is on pace to set career highs in scoring and rebounding for the fourth straight season.
Green came to the Lakers in 1985-86 as the 23rd selection in the NBA draft. The son of a minister, he then replaced Kurt Rambis in the starting lineup early the next season, and has become more of a force each season. This year he worked on Developing a perimeter game.
'That's been a key for us,' he said. 'We're always double-teamed (underneath), and with me taking the outside shot, that's only helped our offense. Now everyone can be a threat.'
The All-Star news came one day after one of Green's best games. Against the Pacers Wednesday night, Green sank 12 of 13 shots -- he tipped in his only miss -- and finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds.
