Raptors` Davis will replace Ratliff in All-Star Game

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia 76ers center Theo Ratliff will miss the NBA All-Star Game and will be sidelined for 4-to-6 weeks with a stress fracture in his right wrist.

Toronto Raptors center Antonio Davis will replace the injured Ratliff on the East team in the All-Star Game.

"You never want any of your NBA brothers to be hurt," Davis said. "Unfortunately, sometimes it happens. I`ll take it and I`ll go and try to represent the city and the team.

"I was a little bitter before. But I`m very honored. I just want to go out there, have fun and play a good game."

Ratliff, who leads the NBA with 187 blocked shots, was placed in a hand cast Thursday after an MRI exam confirmed the stress fracture. Ratliff is expected to wear the cast for two weeks and then have a second MRI test to determine if he needs another cast or surgery.

"An MRI study was done this morning which indicated that he had a stress fracture of his right scaphoid bone," Philadelphia team doctor Jack McPhilemy said.

Ratliff averaged 12.4 points and 8.3 rebounds 3.7 blocked shots. He has blocked at least one shot in 49 consecutive games for the Sixers, who entered the All-Star break with an NBA-best 36-14 record.

Davis was picked for the team Thursday by NBA commissioner David Stern. This is the first all-star appearance for Davis, who is in his eighth season in the league and is averaging 10.9 rebounds, 13.1 points and 1.98 blocked shots.

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Author: AP - 6 ABC