The rosters for the All-Star Game were chosen in two ways. The starters were chosen via a fan ballot. Two guards, two forwards and one center who received the highest vote were named the All-Star starters. The reserves were chosen by votes among the NBA head coaches in their respective conferences. The coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players. The reserves consist of two guards, two forwards, one center and two players regardless of position. If a player is unable to participate due to injury, the commissioner will select a replacement. The 2005 NBA All-Star introduced international players who have become today’s superstars. Amongst the players selected were: Žydrūnas Ilgauskas, Manu Ginóbili, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki along with voted-starters Tim Duncan and Yao Ming. This game tied the 2003 and 2004 All-Star Game record for the most international All-Stars in one year. Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets led the ballots with 2,558,578 votes, which earned him a starting position in the Western Conference team for the third year in a row. Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Duncan completed the Western Conference starting positions. This was also the same starting line-up as the previous year, with the exception that McGrady started for the East. The Western Conference reserves included three first-time selections, Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs, Amar'e Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns, and Rashard Lewis of the Seattle SuperSonics. The team is rounded out by Nash, Nowitzki, Ray Allen, and Shawn Marion. The Phoenix Suns had three representations at the All-Star Game, while two other teams, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs, had two representations with McGrady/Yao, and Duncan/Ginobili. After being traded to the Eastern Conference's Miami Heat, Shaquille O'Neal led the East ballots with 2,488,089 votes. This would be O'Neal's twelfth appearance as an All-Star. Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, LeBron James, and Grant Hill completed the Eastern Conference starting position. This was James' first All-Star appearance. The Eastern Conference reserves included three first-time selections, Dwyane Wade, Gilbert Arenas, and Antawn Jamison. Ilgauskas, Ben Wallace, Jermaine O'Neal, and Paul Pierce rounded out the team. Three teams, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Washington Wizards, had two representations at the All-Star Game with James/Ilgauskas, O'Neal/Wade, and Arenas/Jamison.
