DENVER -- Piper Billups will have to share her husband next week.

While walking out of the Pepsi Center after Wednesday morning's shootaround, Denver Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups joked his wife wouldn't mind if he wasn't chosen as an All-Star injury replacement because his family has scheduled a vacation All-Star Weekend to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

"I think she'd rather have me all to herself than have to share me with everybody,'' Billups said.

Let the sharing begin. Billups was named Wednesday by NBA commissioner David Stern to replace the injured Chris Paul for the West in the Feb. 14 All-Star Game in Dallas.

It will be the fifth straight All-Star appearance for Billups. He'll be on the bubble to make the Hall of Fame one day, so every one counts.

Billups wasn't immediately available for comment after Stern's selection was announced. But he has been the leading candidate to be named since it became known Sunday that Paul, a New Orleans guard, would be lost for what is believed to be at least a month due to knee surgery.

"Chauncey Billups should, I think, feel like Obama in an presidential election,'' Nuggets coach George Karl said shortly before Stern's announcement. "It's, to me, a fairly lopsided vote. He should win it, he should be honored and we should move on.

"There are some great guards out there and, yes, (Golden State's) Monta Ellis has had a special season. I actually think (Dallas') Jason Kidd has had a special season. I think the Aaron Brooks kid (for Houston) has played great. But we have the second-best record (in the West) and (Billups) in the last six weeks has played better than the guys actually on the All-Star team in my mind. I think it's something of a no-brainer.''

Billups, whose 19.4 scoring average is in line to be a career best and is averaging 6.2 assists, had said after Monday's 112-109 win over Sacramento he couldn't lose because he would be going either to the All-Star Game or on a Mexican vacation.

"I just try to do what I do, and if I get recognized, that's fine,'' Billups said after Wednesday's shootaround before Stern's announcement was made. "If it doesn't, that's fine.''

Billups will be joined in Dallas by Denver forward Carmelo Anthony, named a starter in fan voting. It's won't be known until shortly before Wednesday's game against Phoenix whether Anthony will play or sit out for a sixth straight time due to a sprained left ankle.

Meanwhile, Billups will need to cancel those vacation plans. His wife will have to share him All-Star Weekend.

Source: Chris Tomasson, FanHouse