Los Angeles  - Spaniard Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers is officially an All-Star again.

Gasol was named to the Western Conference for the second time in his career on Thursday, as the NBA announced the list of 14 players chosen by the coaches as reserves for the All-Star Game, to be played on February 15 in Phoenix, Arizona.

"I think it's something that gives me a lot of pride and it's an honour to be part of that game," said Gasol, who played in the 2006 mid-season showpiece as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies.

"The coaches are the people who watch you every day and know what you contribute to the league."

Gasol has been a main cog in the Lakers' (35-9) success this season. The gangly seven-foot (2.13-metre) forward is averaging 17.3 points with 9.0 rebounds per game.

When asked if Gasol deserved to make the star-studded squad, the answer was a resounding "Oh without a doubt," by Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who will guide the West.

Gasol is one of three international stars voted to Western Conference squad as reserves. German juggernaut Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks, and Frenchman Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs also received the nod.

Heading the reserves is an old familiar face: Shaquille O'Neal of host Phoenix Suns. O'Neal will be making his 15th appearance as an All-Star, second only to Hall of Fame centre Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was invited 19 times.

Chauncey Billups of the Denver Nuggets, Brandon Roy of the Portland Trail Blazers and the New Orleans Hornets' David West round out the Wes.

The already named Western starters include Kobe Bryant of the Lakers and New Orleans Hornets' Chris Paul as guards; forwards Duncan and Suns' Amare Stoudemire, and Yao Ming at centre.

With the addition of Gasol, Nowitzki, Parker, Yao (China) and Duncan (U. S. Virgin Islands), the All-Star Game has five overseas stars.

The Eastern Conference reserves has three first timers in New Jersey Nets' Devin Harris, Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers and Jameer Nelson of Orlando Magic.

They are joined by the Toronto Raptors' Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks, Magic's Rashard Lewis and Paul Pierce of the defending champion Boston Celtics.

Nelson and Lewis join teammate Dwight Howard, who was already voted in as the starting centre in fan balloting.

"It shows hard work pays off," Lewis said. "I'm happy Jameer made it. If I wouldn't have made it, I would have been happy for Jameer."

Starters for the East include Celtics' Kevin Garnett, Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James at forwards; Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade and Detroit Pistons' Allen Iverson as guards while Orlando's Howard is the centre

While Jackson will guide the West, the Eastern Conference coach will be determined between the team with the best winning percentage through Sunday. Stan Van Gundy Orlando (34-10 .773) and Mike Brown of Cleveland (35-8 .814) are the top contenders.

Boston's Doc Rivers is ineligible, because he coached the East last year. (dpa)