CLICK HERE

January 28, 2010

Wallace's blog on his selection on bobcatsbreak.com

Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace today was named to the Eastern Conference team for the 2010 NBA All-Star Game, which will be held on Sunday, Feb. 14, at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas. Wallace, who will also participate in the Sprite Slam Dunk Competition at NBA All-Star Saturday Night the night before, becomes the first Bobcats player selected to play in the All-Star Game.

"It’s truly an honor to be named to the All-Star Team," Wallace said. "This is an amazing moment for me and for the Bobcats franchise, and I’m excited to be the first player to represent this team in the All-Star Game. I want to thank all the fans who voted for me and the coaches who selected me to play in the game."

The 28-year-old is averaging 18.6 points and 11.0 rebounds on the season, which ranks 27th and seventh, respectively, in the league. Wallace has scored in double figures in 40 of 43 games in which he has played this season, including 20 games of 20 points or more, and has posted 22 double-doubles. He is also tied for first in the NBA in minutes played (42.0) and ranked 15th in steals (1.60) and 23rd in blocks (1.21).

Wallace was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Nov. 30 after averaging 25.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.3 assists and 1.0 block. He also shot .543 from the field (25-46), .385 from beyond the three-point line (5-13) and .808 from the free-throw line (21-26) in a perfect 3-0 week with wins over Toronto, Cleveland and Washington. Wallace tallied 31 points and 13 rebounds against Toronto and had 31 points and 14 rebounds against Cleveland to become the first player in Bobcats history to post consecutive games of 30 points and 10 rebounds.

"We’re very happy for Gerald," said Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins. "We’re glad that he is gaining widespread recognition of what we already know, that he is one of the elite players in the league."

Wallace, who entered the season with a career average of 5.4 rebounds per game and an average of 6.8 rebounds in five previous seasons in Charlotte, has grabbed at least six rebounds in 42 of 43 games and has tallied at least nine rebounds 30 times, either leading or tying for the team lead in rebounds 35 times. He recorded the first 20-20 game of his career and fourth in Bobcats history with 24 points and a career-high 20 rebounds in the Nov. 2 win over New Jersey.

Bobcats scorch Heat with record-setting win

The Bobcats (21-19) closed out their homestand with a bang Wednesday night, defeating the Miami Heat (21-19) 104-65 in the largest margin of victory in franchise history. The win was the sixth-straight for Charlotte and extended the team record for consecutive home wins to nine games.

“We played great,” said Bobcats Head Coach Larry Brown. “The guys are playing at a high level.”

The Bobcats were breaking franchise records all night long, including fewest points allowed in a game (65), lowest opponent field goal percentage (28.9), fewest field goals made by an opponent (22) and largest lead during a game (41).

“I don’t think there was ever a let up,” said Brown. “We are just doing good things. When your best players share the ball and try to defend and are considerate of everybody it’s a pretty good formula to be successful.”

“They are a good team, especially at home,” Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade said about the Bobcats. “They are one of the best teams in the NBA at home. They really get out after teams here. We came out flat early, we didn’t make shots, and that’s a no-go versus a team like this.”

Stephen Jackson led all scorers with 24 points, while Gerald Wallace chipped in 20 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked five shots.

While Jackson was excited to be playing so well at home, he says the real test is going to be Friday.

“The biggest thing is that we have to carry this momentum on the road against a good team – one of the best teams in the East – in Atlanta,” said Jackson. “We’ve got a good feel about the way we’re playing and it’s a great way to go on the road.”

The Bobcats travel to Atlanta to take on the Hawks (27-14) Friday at 7:30 p.m., but return home Saturday for a 7 p.m. game against the Orlando Magic (26-15) on NASCAR Night at Time Warner Cable Arena.