New Jersey Nets guard Jason Kidd will not play in the 2007 NBA All-Star Game on February 18 due to a strained lower back. The injury forced Kidd to miss his first game of the season on February 13 vs. San Antonio and will also sideline him for tonight’s contest at Toronto.

“It was an honor to be selected by the coaches to participate in this year's All-Star Game,” said Kidd. “However, my injury needs rest in order to heal properly, so I will unfortunately not be able to play.”

Kidd was named an All-Star for the eighth time in his career in 2007 (1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007). He has been voted as a starter three times (1996, 2000, 2001) and as a reserve five times. In All-Star Game play, Kidd holds averages of 8.0 ppg and 8.3 apg in seven contests. He currently ranks tied for 1st in All-Star Game history in three-point field goals made (11), 6th in steals (19) and 7th in assists (58). This season, Kidd is averaging 14.3 ppg, a conference leading 8.7 apg and a career-high 8.0 rpg through the first 52 games.

Joe Johnson selected to replace Kidd

Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson has been named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace injured East All-Star Jason Kidd (back) of the New Jersey Nets on the Eastern Conference Roster for the 2007 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, February 18 in Las Vegas.

“I’m happy and excited to be named to the Eastern Conference team,” Johnson said. “Obviously, I’m looking forward to my first All-Star experience. It’s a tremendous honor and accomplishment for me, my coaches, teammates and the organization.”

“This is great news for Joe and our organization,” Hawks head coach Mike Woodson said. “He’s put himself in this position by playing like an All-Star all season long. We feel he’s one of the top players in the league, and this selection validates it. He’s my first All-Star player as a coach and I hope he has a great time, and takes home wonderful memories.”

The NBA’s tenth-leading scorer (25.1 ppg), Johnson is also averaging 4.3 apg (40th in the league), 4.2 rpg and 1.0 spg in 40.9 mpg (t2nd). Additionally, he ranks 6th in the NBA in FGM (444), t9th in 3FGM (102) and 39th in 3FG% (.386).

Johnson owns 16 30-point games on the year (Hawks are 11-5 in those contests), and was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week on November 13. Durable and dependable, Johnson saw his NBA-best consecutive games streak snapped at 376, when he sat out at Sacramento on December 10 due to a right calf strain. He missed a total of four contests, the only games he’s missed due to injury in his six-year career.

After spending last summer as a member of the historic USA Men’s Senior National Team, Johnson began the season by scoring 25 or more points in each of the first seven games, setting a franchise record. He has posted at least that many in 29-of-47 games, reaching double figures in every game, and leading Atlanta in scoring 35 times.

Complete InsideHoops.com All-Star previews begin later today (Wed. Feb. 14)