NEW YORK – The results of the fan balloting are in for the NBA All-Star game and this year like most other years reminds us how the best or most deserving players do not always make it to the game.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson was voted to start for the Eastern Conference alongside Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett. Garnett has missed a good portion of the season and A.I. well, we know all about A.I.

He’s only played in 19 games and is having the worst season in his career averaging just 14.8 point a game for the 76ers.

“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,” said Iverson. “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.”

Other starters for the East are Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James.

James became the first player to obtain 2.5 million votes three times and will start for the East for the sixth time in his career.

“The fans still love and see what I do every night and they appreciate it, and I appreciate them for electing me as an All-Star starter,” said James. “It’s still special.”

Steve Nash and Tim Duncan also earned enough votes to gain starting positions for the Western Conference. They will be joined by Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, Phoenix center Amare Stoudemire and Denver forward Carmelo Anthony.

The reserves will be chosen by votes from the head coaches in each conference and will be announced on Thursday.

The game will be played on Feb. 14 game at Cowboys Stadium where a record crowd of 80,000 are expected to see the game.

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax

DETROIT – Chauncey Billups returns to the Motor City tonight to play against his former team the Detroit Pistons for the first time since he was traded to the Denver Nuggets in November.Mr. Big Shot who has been a permanent fixture at the Palace through several years of playoff runs that include an NBA Championship is sure to be greeted by raucous applause by the Pistons fans, many who are still shaking off the aftershocks caused by the trade that thus far has destructed the team.

Billups one of the NBA’s most unselfish leaders was one of the most consistent performers in Pistons history and was considered one of Motown’s biggest sports heroes.
Allen Iverson who came to the Pistons as part of the Billups trade has been criticized for his inconsistent play and attitude issues as the Pistons are struggling to hold onto the #6 playoff spot with a 24-24 record.

Pistons President Joe Dumars has an excellent history of deal-making but the timing of Billups’ return will be a reminder to the team and fans that even Dumars is prone to make mistakes.

While the Pistons are a dismal 23-29 with A.I.in the line-up, Billups has led his Nuggets to a 39-21 record and currently sit in the #3 spot in the Western Conference.

To add insult to injury, the Pistons just defeated the #2 seed Boston Celtics and #3 seed Orlando Magic without A.I. in the line-up.

Billups says the Pistons will be fine and Joe Dumars will figure it all out and get them back on track. When asked how things would be if he were still in Detroit he responded, “We’d be the top one or two in the East and probably in basketball, like we always are.”

Copyright © 2009 – Sports Climax