Pacers' Roy Hibbert is an All-Star, Lance Stephenson is not

Roy Hibbert will play in next month's NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans. Lance Stephenson will not, based on voting of the Eastern Conference coaches.

Stephenson is second on the league's best team in points (14.2) and rebounds (7.1) and leads the Pacers in assists (5.3).

On TNT's announcement show, 11-time All-Star Charles Barkley called Stephenson's omission "a joke."

"I see why we have so many crappy teams in the East because the coaches don't know what they're doing," Barkley said. "There's no way Lance Stephenson can't be an All-Star."

Paul George, who was selected last week as a starter in fan voting, recently said Stephenson has been playing at a worthy level.

"While his numbers don't represent an all-star, he's playing at an all-star level," George told The Indianapolis Star. "He's making all-star plays."

Pacers coach Frank Vogel said before Thursday night's game against Phoenix that Stephenson's antics might sour some coaches. Vogel said he has spoken to Stephenson about his celebrations and asked the guard if other elite players do that. It's unclear if that played a role in Stephenson not making the team.

"Lance is a lightning rod," Barkley said. "But he's matured. Does he need to grow as a player? He does. But the Pacers have the best record in the NBA and he leads the NBA in triple-doubles."

TNT host Ernie Johnson suggested Stephenson belonged on the team over the Nets' Joe Johnson, who is averaging 15.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game for a team that is 20-23. The Pacers and Nets meet Saturday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Stephenson did not speak to reporters prior to the 7 p.m. game.

Hibbert, one of the league's top defensive players, was selected as one of the conference's seven reserves and will make his second All-Star Game appearance.

Hibbert is averaging 11.8 points, a team-leading 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots. He is second in the league in blocks. Vogel will coach the East team.

The Pacers (35-9) have never had three NBA All-Stars in the same year.

Vogel will coach the East in the Feb. 16 game as a result of his team having the best record in the conference.

East starters are George, James and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat, Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks and Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The rest of the East reserves are Miami's Chris Bosh, Joakim Noah of Chicago, Washington's John Wall, Paul Millsap from Atlanta and Toronto's DeMar DeRozan

The West reserves are LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard of Portland, the Los Angeles Clippers' Chris Paul, Tony Parker from San Antonio, James Harden and Dwight Howard of Houston, and Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki.

Star reporters Michael Pointer and Bob Kravitz contributed to this story. Call Star reporter Curt Cavin at (317) 444-6409.

Here's the announcement of the East reserves, with Charles Barkley's reaction to Lance Stephenson's omission near the end.