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There is a chance Calderon could be added later if, for instance, Wade's injuries keep him from playing.

"Slovenia, everybody is familiar in Canada with (Toronto Raptors centre) Rasho Nesterovic, but I think a country of 1.7 million people and they have six players in the NBA, and last I knew five of them were on their national team," Rautins said. "They're a very tough team, they're certainly a team you have to be concerned about."

"It's no disrespect to anybody if you don't get chosen. There's a lot of great players to choose from in this league," Bosh said. "Just to be considered is an honour. And nobody was really expecting anything out of Jose, especially to be a candidate for the all-star game."

"Obviously as a shooter, you want to get up shots," the laid-back Californian said. "But you also have to understand, (when the other team is keying on you) you're creating space for other guys to play.

"So even if you're not getting the shot, it's the threat of the shot that allows guys on your team to have room to make plays," he added. "If I'm not able to get another shot because the (other team) doesn't want to leave me from 23-feet and (instead) give up a six-footer, then, hey, it's a good thing for us."

Raptors point guard T.J. Ford is expected to rejoin the team tonight and take part in a light practice with the squad tomorrow.

Ford won't dress tonight when the Raptors are home to the Los Angeles Lakers at the Air Canada Centre, and coach Sam Mitchell said yesterday he will not rush the diminutive guard back into the lineup until he is absolutely ready, which could be in a week or two.

Mitchell said he would have been delighted to see Calderon join Bosh in the all-star game but said if not, "There are going to be a lot of guys who are deserving who don't get in. Would I be happy for him? Yes. I've never had a conversation with Jose about it. I never will unless he comes to me and talks to me about it."

"Rob was a true believer from early on," says George Bass, Calderon's U.S.-based agent. "There were other teams interested, but Rob was by far the guy with the most interest. He's a straight-up guy, and when he said Jose was his guy, you just trusted him."

So who should replace J. Johnson? That answer is also in Table Four. The obvious choice is Jose Calderon, who had an amazing first half with the Toronto Raptors (primarily due to a high level of shooting efficiency and very low turnover numbers). The Eastern Conference All-Stars have Kidd and Billups at point guard. At shooting guard the team has Wade, Hamilton, and Johnson. There