NBA: Shaq, Barkley draft Rising Stars rosters; Lin a surprise addition

This year's NBA All-Star Weekend Rookie-Sophomore game just became a lot more Lin-triguing. 

 

Moments before TNT NBA analysts Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley drafted their teams for the Rookie-Sophomore game, honorary commissioner Kenny Smith announced the addition of sophomore sensation Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks and Miami Heat rookie Norris Cole to the roster pool, Thursday (Friday, PHL time). 

 

O'Neal, who won the coin flip to choose first, selected LA Clippers sophomore Blake Griffin with the number one pick and later made Lin his second choice, third overall. 

 

2011 overall number one draft choice Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers went second, selected by Barkley. 

 

Traditionally, the Rising Stars game sees a team of NBA rookies pitted against a squad of sophomores. The format was modified this season to have Barkley and O'Neal draft a team from a pool for first and second year players. 

 

The last-minute addition of Jeremy Lin was seen as a response to "Lin-sanity," as the undrafted Taiwanese-American has become one of the most talked about topics in the sports world, helping the Knicks win seven straight and even their record at 15-15.

 

Shaquille O'Neal's team includes Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers), Greg Monroe (Detroit Pistons), Markieff Morris (Phoenix Suns), Ricky Rubio (Minnesota Timberwolves), Jeremy Lin (New  York Knicks), Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats), Norris Cole (Miami Heat), Brandon Knight (Detroit Pistons), Landry Fields (New York Knicks) and Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers).