The 11-time All-Star has won the NBA scoring title five times and is considered one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA.
Judging by the lack of offers he received as a free agent this summer and after he was waived by the Grizzlies in November, Allen Iverson isn't very popular among league executives. Whether it be age, attitude, style of play or a combination of the three, the value of the diminutive guard has diminished quickly over the last two seasons.
But judging by the final results of All-Star balloting, Iverson will always have his fans.
Though he's played just 19 games this season, Iverson received 1,269,568 votes and finished second among Eastern Conference guards in this year's balloting. Health permitting, he'll be starting alongside Dwyane Wade in the visitors' backcourt at Cowboys Stadium on Feb. 14. It's Iverson's 11th straight All-Star selection. (Click here for West starters)
"Without the fans, there wouldn't be no us," Iverson told NBA.com earlier this week. "For them to want to see me, regardless of what's been going on, that says a lot about how they feel about me. I just thank 'em for that."
Iverson has been dealing with arthritis in his left knee, which has forced him to miss five games since he rejoined the Sixers. He doesn't have the burst that has allowed him to relentlessly get to the basket in years past. And he'll keep his body in mind when it comes to making a decision on whether or not to take the court in Dallas.
"I want to be able to make sure my fans are happy, because they want to see me play," he said. "But I have to be smart about the future of this franchise right here."
Still, knowing Iverson's desire to play the game and the love he has for those that support him, it's very likely he'll be on the floor when the game tips off at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.
Joining Iverson and Wade in the starting lineup for the Eastern Conference will be forwards LeBron James and Kevin Garnett, and center Dwight Howard.
It's the 13th All-Star selection for Garnett, the sixth for both James and Wade, and the fourth for Howard.
There are clearly more deserving guards than Iverson. A case can be made for Chris Bosh over Garnett, who is expected to play this Friday after missing the last 10 games with a hyperextended right knee. But there can be no argument with the trio of Wade, James and Howard. And they rightfully dominated the voting at their positions. James was the overall leading vote-getter with 2,549,793 votes, while Howard (2,360,096 votes) and Wade (2,327,550 votes) finished third and fourth overall respectively.
The rest of East roster will be voted on by the conference's coaches and announced Thursday, Jan. 28 on TNT. With Howard's team a disappointing six games off their pace of last season and James' supporting cast a bit more balanced, it's possible that Garnett will be the only starter who will be joined by a teammate in Dallas.
Fortunately, the starters are familiar with each other. Though Iverson has changed teams twice since, bouncing to and from the Western Conference, this is the same starting lineup that the East put on the floor last year in Phoenix, when they fell to the West, 146-119.
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The Philadelphia 76ers played more like a playoff team than one mired in a miserable stretch of basketball.
Thaddeus Young had 26 points and 14 rebounds, Allen Iverson scored 20 points and the 76ers snapped a 12-game losing streak with a 117-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Monday night.
Iverson was a rookie the last time the Sixers lost 13 straight in the 1996-97 season. He played the best game of his four-game second stint in Philadelphia to help avoid another unlucky 13-game skid on his resume.
The Sixers had all five starters and two reserves score in double digits.
"We felt like once we did get a win, it was going to be extremely hard, one of the hardest games to win," Iverson said. "It was totally opposite."
Iverson hit the 20-point mark for the second straight game a day after his having his left knee drained of fluid. Young was sensational, using an 11-of-15 effort in the first half to give the Sixers a rare comfortable lead and easy win.
"It's been working for us, but we just couldn't get the win," Young said. "It really worked tonight."
Looking for a spark, 76ers coach Eddie Jordan benched power forward Elton Brand and paired rookie Jrue Holiday in the backcourt with Iverson. Jordan's move worked: Holiday had 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
"He just put us in a good rhythm tonight and had us flowing," Iverson said.
Brand, who was previously benched in some fourth quarters, said it was hard to complain about his role after a victory. He just can't believe he's considered a bench player early in the second year of an $80 million, five-year deal.
"When you look around at other teams, yeah," Brand said. "It's like, no disrespect, but [Golden State's] Mikki Moore gets the start and I don't. Not that he's not a good player, but, definitely."
Andre Iguodala left briefly with bruised ribs and scored 14 points on brutal 4-of-20 shooting. He's day-to-day and was not expected to practice Tuesday.
Corey Maggette led the Warriors with 24 points and Anthony Randolph had 15. Golden State lost its third straight in the finale of a five-game trip that started Dec. 7.
"You can't make excuses about a long trip," Maggette said.
Iverson's return generated a short burst of excitement, but not wins. His box office appeal is already lukewarm with only 12,795 fans listed to watch a slumping Sixers team.
Iverson joked at shootaround that after his ill-fated stint with Memphis, he sat home "trying to get fat." He wasn't in game shape and the Sixers came in with a bloated 18 losses.
He teamed with Young to make eight of 11 shots in the first quarter to help build a 12-point lead. Young really got rolling in the second quarter. He kept close to the basket and used a flurry of layups to score 14 points. He did hit a nice turnaround jumper that stretched the lead to 15.
Iverson capped the half by drawing a midair foul with 1 second left, hitting two free throws to make it 71-57.
Philadelphia won for only the third time in 19 games and its 12-game losing streak was the longest since 2006. Iverson was around for the start of that one three years ago before he was traded and the end of this one after his return.
Iverson acknowledges the years of banging down the lane and crashing the court have taken a severe toll on his 34-year-old frame. He's limited at shootarounds and practices -- by coaches decision, not complaint -- and no longer has the quickest first step in the league.
"I've been dealing with that the last 5, 6 years I've been playing," Iverson said. "I understand that when I fall or hit something that it flares up or gets irritated a lot faster than it used to. That comes from getting older."
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Iverson could rest. Willie Green's 3-pointer with 9:10 left in the fourth gave the Sixers 102 points, meaning free food at a fast-food restaurant for the few fans who bought tickets.
The weary Warriors had three field goals and scored 11 points in the third quarter.
"I think we'll all be glad to get home, but you still want to play as well as you can on the road," interim Warriors coach Keith Smart said. "Unfortunately, we didn't manage to do that on this trip."
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With a late rally, Allen Iverson is an All-Star starter again.
Iverson surged from behind in the fan voting to earn a starting spot in next month's game when the vote totals were released Thursday night. Denver Nuggets teammate Carmelo Anthony will join him in New Orleans after earning his first starting nod.
Iverson rallied to pass Houston's Tracy McGrady in the final weeks of voting to earn his first start since moving to the Western Conference early last season. He started seven straight All-Star Games while playing for Philadelphia, but fell short last year after the 76ers dealt him to the Nuggets in December 2006.
The two-time MVP of the All-Star Game beat McGrady by 10,410 votes and will make his ninth appearance on Feb. 17 in New Orleans.
"It's a good feeling. I think it's a tribute to my teammates and coaching staff because without those guys none of that would be possible," Iverson said in a statement. "But most of all I just want to thank the fans for appreciating what I go out and do on the court night in and night out. It's just a great feeling and an honor, and I'm just looking forward to trying to play the best that I can play for the fans."
Iverson was more than 80,000 votes behind McGrady, who has struggled with injuries this season, when the final update was released two weeks ago. He ended up with 1,203,152 votes. McGrady finished with 1,192,742.
Eastern Conference All-Stars Pos. Player Team App.
Starters
PG Jason Kidd New Jersey Nets 10th
SG Dwyane Wade Miami Heat 4th
SF LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers 4th
PF Chris Bosh1 Toronto Raptors 3rd
C Dwight Howard Orlando Magic 2nd
Reserves
SG Ray Allen2 Boston Celtics 8th
PG Chauncey Billups Detroit Pistons 3rd
SF Caron Butler2 Washington Wizards 2nd
PF Kevin Garnett1 3 Boston Celtics 11th
SG Richard Hamilton Detroit Pistons 3rd
PF Antawn Jamison Washington Wizards 2nd
SG Joe Johnson Atlanta Hawks 2nd
SF Paul Pierce Boston Celtics 6th
PF Rasheed Wallace3 Detroit Pistons 4th
Western Conference All Stars Pos. Player Team App.
Starters
PG Allen Iverson Denver Nuggets 9th
SG Kobe Bryant4 Los Angeles Lakers 10th
SF Carmelo Anthony Denver Nuggets 2nd
PF Tim Duncan San Antonio Spurs 10th
C Yao Ming Houston Rockets 6th
Reserves
PF Carlos Boozer Utah Jazz 2nd
PG Steve Nash Phoenix Suns 6th
PF Dirk Nowitzki Dallas Mavericks 7th
PG Chris Paul New Orleans Hornets 1st
SG Brandon Roy Portland Trail Blazers 1st
C Amaré Stoudemire Phoenix Suns 3rd
PF David West New Orleans Hornets 1st