( dpa ) - If one man's pain is another man's pleasure, then Detroit Piston Rasheed Wallace should be having a grand old time at the expense of Boston Celtics' superstar Kevin Garnett.
Wallace was selected by NBA commissioner David Stern on Sunday to replace injured Eastern Conference starting power-forward Garnett, who is suffering from an abdominal muscle strain, in the league's all-star game on February 17 in New Orleans.
With the addition of Wallace, the Pistons now boast three all- stars, after guards Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton were chosen as reserves last week by coaches in the conference.
In 47 games heading into Detroit's Sunday night game with Charlotte, Wallace is averaging 12.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
Though Wallace will be making his fourth NBA All-Star appearance, Eastern Conference all-star head coach Doc Rivers of Boston will choose a starter in place of Garnett from the all-star bench.