That was Karl Malone, the Western Conference's leading vote-getter back in 1998. He was chosen as a reserve in 2000, 2001 and 2002. As expected, Boozer's and Williams' All-Star fate now rests with the conference's coaches, who are asked to vote for seven reserves to join the five starters for the Feb. 17 game in New Orleans. Reserves will be announced Thursday.

"I'm an All-Star," said Boozer, who came into Friday averaging 22.5 points and 10.8 rebounds. "I'm not worried about it. If I don't go, that'll be their mistake. That's how I feel about it."

More than himself, Boozer is worried about whether Williams will be selected. Williams has the numbers (19.3 points, 9.2 assists) but is one in a crowded field of guards and has generated less buzz recently.

"I hope he makes it, man. I really do," Boozer said. "People aren't talking about him enough and Deron deserves to be in the All-Star Game. You guys know that." He then looked into the TV cameras and made a plea: "Put him in the All-Star Game, coaches. C'mon, baby"

"You know how important he is to our team," Boozer added. "We know how important he is and we know he's an All-Star. I hope the coaches agree with that. They have to deal with him every night, too, so hopefully, they'll put him in there as well."

Bryant and Allen Iverson will start at guard while Steve Nash and Chris Paul are considered locks to be reserves. There are two wild-card picks after that and Williams must compete with Baron Davis, Brandon Roy and a host of other players.

As much as it is a goal, Williams said he could live with not being chosen an All-Star. "I was disappointed last year," he said. "I think I'd be a little less disappointed this year just because our record's not as good. I went through it last year not making it, so I'll be all right."

He also said not finishing in the top 10 in fan voting was simply a product of playing in a small market. "Even if I would have had the whole state of Utah, I still would have lost," Williams said, "because some of those guys are getting 1 million, 2 million votes."

OK, maybe not: The population of Utah is estimated by the Census Bureau at more than 2.6 million.

rsiler@sltrib.com