LeBron James Leads All-Star Voting, Allen Iverson Gets In, Too

Sports News - January 22nd, 2010 - Written By John

Allen Iverson had a difficult time drawing any interest from NBA teams this season, but he apparently still has a place in the hearts of fans.

After spending the first month of the season retired in protest and only active in 19 of the season's first 41 games, the Philadelphia 76ers point guard was elected as a starter on the Eastern Conference All-Star team Friday, making it his 11th appearance.

Iverson received more than 1.2 million votes, edging out Orlando's Vince Carter for the second guard position alongside lead vote-getter LeBron James.

James become the first NBA player ever to receive 2.5 million votes three times, and the pair will make up a back-court of polar opposites -- one who is clearly the most deserving, and one who is clearly the least.

But his spot turned out to be the only disputed one. Tracy McGrady, who has been inactive all year but led in fan voting two weeks ago, just missed the Western team cut due to a late surge by Steve Nash. The Phoenix Suns point guard was voted on to the Western team in the final hour, as was San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan.

The duo will join Los Angeles' Kobe Bryant (the conference's lead vote-getter), Denver's Carmelo Anthony, and Phoenix's Amar'e Stoudemire.

Iverson has averaged just 14.8 points and 31 minutes this season, and has drawn the ire of critics who disapprove of the voting method, in which fans are allowed to vote on popularity rather than merit. Voting is open to fans in China, also, which opens the door for even more blind balloting.

Starters are voted on exclusively by fans, and head coaches then pick the reserves a week later.

Boston's Ray Allen went on record last week, admitting that he believed the NBA's method was flawed and that fan vote should have less influence.

"I like the fact that the fans get the opportunity to vote and pick who they'd like to see in the All-Star Game," Allen said. "But I don't think it should be 100 percent.

"Tracy, if he played, I'm sure he'd play well enough to be an All-Star player, because he's done that his career," he continued. "But again, that's taking away from another player in the Western Conference that's having a great year, that's been playing, that deserves to be in there."

Iverson said he is not sure if he will play in the game, and may forfeit his spot due to a sore knee. He's been elected to the All-Star game 11-straight times despite dwindling numbers and an apparent indifference by prospective employers. But he came back to the Sixers this year in a move to both benefit the team on the court, and perhaps send him off with one final farewell to his early fans.

"I just want to thank everybody for their support this season and it's an honor that the fans have voted me into the All-Star Game as a starter," Iverson said in a statement. "The fans are who make us and make the NBA so popular. This year is even more special because I'll be representing a city and fans that I love and a team that has been such a big part of my life throughout my career."

Joining he and James are Miami's Dwayne Wade, Orlando's Dwight Howard and Boston's Kevin Garnett.

Garnett's election is his team-high 13th, and only trails Shaquille O'Neal (15) for most among active players.