No Nowitzki in 2013 All Star Game

The All-Star game is officially not worth watching this year.

To me, at least.

Due to Dirk's preseason knee surgery, and the games he missed while recovering and conditioning, it will be the first All-Star game the NBA has held without him since 2002.

Yeah, he had been voted in 11 straight years. Only Kobe Bryant has a longer streak, which he just extended to 15 in a row.

Now, Dirk Nowitzki is not the only thing worth watching at most All-Star games, so I might catch a little bit of the game or a few of the skill contests. However, I have no vested interest in watching the superstars from every other team play while the superstar from my team will be sitting on his couch at home. Also, I'm not saying he was slighted, it is just an unfortunate year that the big German will not be recognized as an elite force from the Western Conference.

Here's a look at the Eastern Conference and Western Conference rosters:

East (listed by number of votes received)

1. LeBron James
2. Carmello Anthony
3. Dwayne Wade - C
4. Kevin Garnett
5. Rajon Rondo (Injured & replaced by Brook Lopez)

Reserves: Chris Bosh, Tyson Chandler, Luol Deng, Paul George, Jrue Holiday, Kyrie Irving, Joakim Noah

West (listed by number of votes received)

1. Kobe Bryant
2. Kevin Durant
3. Chris Paul - C
4. Dwight Howard
5. Blake Griffin

Reserves: LaMarcus Aldridge, Tim Duncan, James Harden, David Lee, Tony Parker, Zach Randolph & Russell Westbrook