AI, T-Mac among All-Star voting leaders
December 31, 2009
NEW YORK (AP)—Back in Philadelphia, Allen Iverson(notes) could be back in theAll-Star game.
Tracy McGrady(notes) also could have a starting spot—even though he might notplay another game before then.
Iverson surged into second place among Eastern Conference guards Thursdayafter the third returns of All-Star balloting, putting him in position to makehis ninth start. He is more than 155,000 votes ahead of No. 3 Vince Carter(notes) orOrlando.
Iverson is listed with the Western Conference guards on the paper ballot,having started the season in Memphis. But his votes count toward the East sincerejoining his longtime team on Dec. 3.
McGrady inched back ahead of Steve Nash(notes) by 1,005 votes for second among Westguards. He played only six games for the Rockets before they decided he wouldleave the team while exploring a trade for him.
Starters for the Feb. 14 game in Dallas will be announced Jan. 21.
The other players on track to start are more predictable—and moredeserving. LeBron James(notes) and Kevin Garnett(notes) lead East forwards, Dwight Howard(notes) istops among East centers and Dwyane Wade(notes) is the No. 1 East guard.
Kobe Bryant(notes), who won his third All-Star MVP last year, is the overallleading vote-getter. Carmelo Anthony(notes) and Dirk Nowitzki(notes) are the leaders at Westforward and Amare Stoudemire at center.
