New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - Despite a career-low scoring average and a forgettable three-game stint with the Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson will start for the Eastern Conference in next month's All- Star Game.

The starters for the contest were announced on Thursday, and it appeared as though Tracy McGrady would be making his eighth appearance while only playing six games this season for the Houston Rockets, who are seeking to trade the former scoring champion.

However, Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns gained enough votes over the past week to overtake McGrady for the Western Conference's final starting guard spot opposite Los Angeles' Kobe Bryant, who received the conference's most votes with 2,456,224. Bryant, a two-time MVP in the league's showcase game, is making his 12th All-Star appearance.

LeBron James of the Cavaliers gained the most votes this year with 2,549,693, becoming the first player in league history to surpass 2.5 million votes on three separate occasions.

Nash trailed McGrady by 2,375 votes coming into the final week of fan balloting but managed to finish with 1,222,235 votes, well ahead of McGrady's 1,022,492 total. Chris Paul finished third amongst the West's guards (1,055,789 votes).

Denver's Carmelo Anthony (2,137,560), the league's leading scorer (29.8 ppg) prior to Thursday's slate, and San Antonio's Tim Duncan (1,156,696) will start at the forward positions in the West, while Amare Stoudemire (1,824,093) of Phoenix will clog up the middle.

Duncan surpassed Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki (1,093,005) for the final forward spot, while Stoudemire nearly doubled his closest competition, the Lakers' Andrew Bynum (981,355).

Starting in the East's backcourt with Iverson, now an 11-time All-Star, is Dwyane Wade (2,327,550) of the Miami Heat. Iverson was traded to the 76ers after unwillingly coming off the bench for three games with the Grizzlies earlier this season. The fan-favorite and two-time All-Star Game MVP was able to pick up 1,269,568 votes to beat out Orlando's Vince Carter (1,048,977).

"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," Iverson said. "The fans are who make us and make the NBA so popular. This year is even more special because that 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."

The reigning league-MVP James and fellow forward Kevin Garnett (1,978,116) of the Boston Celtics will be joined in the frontcourt for the East by last year's leading vote-getter, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (2,360,096).

Toronto's Chris Bosh (1,164,007) finished third for the forwards, while Cleveland's Shaquille O'Neal was well behind Howard with 856,056 tallies.

Garnett, now as 13 All-Star nods, is second among active players behind O'Neal's 15.

The 2010 All-Star Game takes place on February 14 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

The reserves for the game will be announced next Thursday.