By Tom D'Angelo - Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
January 24, 2008

While Dwyane Wade was named an All-Star starter today for the third consecutive season, Shaquille O'Neal's string of 14 consecutive All-Star seasons likely will come to an end.

Wade led the Eastern Conference guards in voting and will play in his fourth All-Star game during his five seasons in the league.

O'Neal finished a distant second to Orlando's Dwight Howard at center. Considering the hip and thigh injuries that are expected to sideline him for at least two weeks, O'Neal is unlikely to be added to the roster.

All-Star Weekend is Feb. 15-17 in New Orleans.

O'Neal has been an All-Star every season he's been in the league and there has been a game. The league cancelled the 1999 game following the lockout. Heat coach Pat Riley is advocating adding Shaq to the team for his career achievements.

"In any other industry, there are lifetime achievement awards and stuff like that, that show the respect and gratitude for what that player has done for the game," Riley said before tonight's game against San Antonio. "Because Shaquille has been hurt most of the year, that's up to the head coaches, that will elect whether or not he's going to be a participant. But, also, is he going to play? Can he play in the game? So, we'll see." Wade entered Thursday's games fifth in the league in scoring with a 25.0 average. He has missed eight games, including the first seven while recovering from off-season shoulder and knee surgery.

"That weekend will take me away from everything that's been going on here this season, so I will enjoy it, no question about it," Wade said.

"Being an All-Star player in itself is just amazing. To be with the great players around the league is just a special weekend. It'll be great and it totally takes your mind off your season and what's going on at that time, whether you're the best team in the league or the worst team in the league."