76ers Notes
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - If Allen Iverson is voted into the NBA All-Star Game - and right now he stands second among Eastern Conference guards - he says he will have to consider whether, physically, it would be in his best interests to play.
Fans vote for the starters for the game, which is scheduled for Feb. 14 in Dallas. In voting results released Thursday, Iverson had 930,713 votes, trailing only the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade (1,719,359) and one spot ahead of the Orlando Magic's Vince Carter (745,581).
Iverson made his comments about the game on Friday. Suffering from arthritis in his left knee, he did not travel with the 76ers for last night's game with the Detroit Pistons. That same condition caused Iverson to miss four games in the middle of December.
Iverson has played 14 games this NBA season, three of those with the Memphis Grizzlies. In his 11 games with the Sixers, Iverson is averaging 15.2 points and 4.6 assists.
The All-Star Game serves as a midseason break, providing rest for those with chronic injuries such as Iverson's.
Last night, there was some talk in Detroit - where Iverson played 54 games last season after being traded from the Denver Nuggets - that the 6-foot guard was dodging the Pistons and their fans.
"That would never be the case," said Detroit coach John Kuester, who coached Iverson as an assistant with the Sixers from 1997 to 2003. "Allen Iverson is one of the ultimate competitors, especially when you turn the lights on. That would never be the case."
Brand is back
After missing Friday night's 108-106 loss to the Toronto Raptors because of a stomach virus, Elton Brand returned to action last night.
Green's the choice
Without Iverson, Sixers coach Eddie Jordan went with a starting backcourt of Lou Williams and Willie Green.
Streak of their own
Entering the game, the Detroit Pistons had lost 11 games in a row. Earlier this season, the Sixers lost 12 straight.
- Kate Fagan
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