Nuggets’ Iverson rallies in voting to be a starter

NEW YORK (AP) — 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.

Kobe Bryant of the Lakers will team with Iverson in the Western Conference back-court for his 10th All-Star appearance. Houston center Yao Ming was voted in by the fans for the sixth straight season at center, while San Antonio’s Tim Duncan was chosen as the other forward. He has been selected to every All-Star game since entering the league in 1997.

Boston’s Kevin Garnett, the MVP of the 2003 game, was the leading vote-getter with 2,399,148 votes. He will be joined in the East front-court by Cleveland forward LeBron James and Orlando center Dwight Howard, a first-time starter. Miami’s Dwyane Wade and New Jersey guard Jason Kidd round out the starting lineup.

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 for the second guard spot 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.”

James, the MVP of the 2006 game and the leading vote-getter last season, was second overall with 2,108,831 votes. He said he never looks at getting selected as tiresome.

“It’s always exciting because the fans vote you in. They vote me in as a starter every year,” James said. “Without the fans there’s no us. They dream about having all these guys out on the court at the same time. It’s their opportunity to get that. It’s always special.”