T-Mac slips in final voting

No longer playing for the Rockets, Tracy McGrady won’t make his next appearance on the court in the All-Star Game either.

McGrady, who has played 46 minutes this season and was given a leave of absence from the Rockets while they try to trade him, had been in position to start the game throughout the balloting updates, but when the team was announced on Thursday, Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash moved past McGrady and in position to start in the Western Conference backcourt with the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant.

McGrady finished fourth among West Conference guards with teammate Aaron Brooks fifth.

The selections, however, did offer one potential for controversy, with Allen Iverson earning a spot in the Eastern Conference starting backcourt. Iverson, though he played in just 16 games since his return to the 76ers, averaging 14.8 points.

The other selections offered no surprises.

Carmelo Anthony and Tim Duncan will start at forward for the Western Conference. With the Rockets’ Yao Ming out and not on the ballot, ending his seven-year run as the Western Conference starting center, Amar’e Stoudemire was the selection as the starting center for the West.

Rockets forward Trevor Ariza was sixth, one spot ahead of teammate Luis Scola.

LeBron James and Kevin Garnett, who led throughout the voting, were made the starters at forward, with Dwight Howard at center and Dwyane Wade at the guard spot next to Iverson.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: x-LeBron James, Cleveland, 2,549,693; x-Kevin Garnett, Boston, 1,978,116; Chris Bosh, Toronto, 1,164,007; Paul Pierce, Boston, 525,677; Josh Smith, Atlanta, 475,671; Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia, 313,827; Danny Granger, Indiana, 309,808; Rashard Lewis, Orlando, 302,743; Michael Beasley, Miami, 277,400; Hedo Turkoglu, Toronto, 213,369.

Guards: x-Dwyane Wade, Miami, 2,327,550; x,y-Allen Iverson, Philadelphia, 1,269,568; Vince Carter, Orlando, 1,048,977; Ray Allen, Boston, 710,045; Derrick Rose, Chicago, 571,911; Gilbert Arenas (Was) 545,860; Joe Johnson, Atlanta, 496,255; Rajon Rondo, Boston, 425,590; Jose Calderon, Toronto, 292,909; Mike Bibby, Atlanta, 223,759.

Centers: x-Dwight Howard, Orlando, 2,360,096; Shaquille O’Neal, Cleveland, 856,056; Al Horford, Atlanta, 270,532; Andrea Bargnani, Toronto, 265,024; Brook Lopez, New Jersey, 223,246; Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee, 202,072; Jermaine O’Neal, Miami, 159,327; Rasheed Wallace, Boston, 131,084; Brad Miller, Chicago, 102,994; Kendrick Perkins, Boston, 90,278.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: x-Carmelo Anthony, Denver, 2,137,560; x-Tim Duncan, San Antonio, 1,156,696; Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas, 1,093,005; Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers, 1,051,784; Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City, 870,567; Trevor Ariza, Houston, 645,937; Luis Scola, Houston, 580,243; Ron Artest, L.A. Lakers, 368,281; Shawn Marion, Dallas, 363,516; LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland, 309,497.

Guards: x-Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers, 2,456,224; x-Steve Nash, Phoenix, 1,222,235; Chris Paul, New Orleans, 1,055,789; Tracy McGrady, Houston, 1,022,492; Aaron Brooks, Houston, 591,930; Jason Kidd, Dallas, 523,708; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio, 465,211; Chauncey Billups, Denver, 452,983; Tony Parker, San Antonio, 439,536; Brandon Roy, Portland, 422,290.

Centers: x-Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix, 1,824,093; Andrew Bynum, L.A. Lakers, 981,355; Nene, Denver, 364,543; Marc Gasol, Memphis, 353,155; Antonio McDyess, San Antonio, 328,717; Al Jefferson, Minnesota, 252,777; Greg Oden, Portland, 225,245; Marcus Camby, L.A. Clippers, 188,240; Emeka Okafor, New Orleans, 182,626; Andris Biedrins, Golden State, 167,481.

y-Iverson appeared among Western Conference guards on ballot.