Stern is expected to make his selections Wednesday or Thursday, completing the rosters for the Feb. 11 game. The most likely additions are Atlanta center Dikembe Mutombo, the league's leading rebounder, and Brian Grant, Miami's power forward who has been playing quite a bit at center in Mourning's absence. The only possible power forward picked for the team is Miami's Anthony Mason, who has often played small forward in his career. Plus there don't appear to be many obvious omissions from the East team, although neither the defending conference champion Indiana Pacers nor the Charlotte Hornets have any representatives. Brand's selection, however, could send the kind of positive message the league is eager to offer.
Brand is unfailingly cooperative and pleasant, a model of hard work and professionalism.
He doesn't complain to referees, make an unnecessary show of himself or make excuses. He supports his teammates and his organization, and stands up for his mistakes and failings without alibi. And he has the statistics to justify selection. There has been some argument that players from teams with losing records do not deserve the honor. But the Eastern coaches added Detroit's Jerry Stackhouse, the league's leading scorer, and New Jersey's Stephon Marbury, and both their teams are more than 10 games below .500 and slumping.