Pass it along

High-scoring Iverson evolves into playmaker

Allen Iverson was more comfortable passing the ball. Jeff Gross/Getty Images SI.com's Marty Burns • Closer Look: Duncan shines in final minute • All-Star Grades: East | West From the Wires • West outlasts East 136-132 | Box Score • Shaq dunks way to MVP honors • Iverson goes from scorer to passer • Miller leaves with sprained ankle • Notebook: Iverson feels for Kobe • Beyonce wows crowd with halftime show

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Allen Iverson bounced the ball off the glass to set up Vince Carter's dunk, lobbed an alley-oop almost straight up for another jam and threaded a perfect pass between defenders to Ron Artest.

Iverson, whose 20.8 scoring average was the highest in NBA All-Star history, turned playmaker Sunday night.

The Philadelphia 76ers' star was 1-of-6 from the floor and scored just three points, but he had 11 assists in 23 minutes.

"I just wanted to be a part of it, play unselfish basketball, try to get the other guys involved," he said. "This is not the 76ers team, so I'm not needed to come out here to look for my shot.

"It was funny, the Indiana coaches were saying, `If we put you back in the game at the 2-guard, will you shoot the ball?"'

The Western Conference All-Stars beat Iverson and the East 136-132.

Before the game, Iverson said he expected "some showtime, with guys being creative."

He created some of the most crowd-pleasing plays.

When he bounced the ball off the glass in the first quarter and Carter slammed it down, the fans almost collectively gasped, then roared.

A few moments later, Iverson was behind the defense on a fast break, but he pulled up, lobbed the ball high, and Carter came sailing in for another perfectly timed dunk.

"When you're playing with guys like Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, guys that can go after the ball, it's fun," Iverson said. "You just throw it up there. A lot of them are not great passes, but they make them look like great passes.

"It's just easy to play with guys like that. I played 23 minutes and had 11 assists and that's just half of a basketball game."

Iverson drew cheers when he dribbled back and forth between his legs several times, then put on a characteristic burst of speed to sweep around a defender and into the lane. But he missed the shot and there were sighs from the crowd.

It was the fifth All-Star appearance for Iverson, the MVP of the 2001 game.

"We had a chance to win this game, and it's frustrating. We had our opportunities," he said of the East's third consecutive All-Star loss.

The three-time league scoring champion is averaging 27.4 points and 6.3 assists for Philadelphia this season and appears to be back in form after missing 10 games in December because of a bruised knee.

Iverson's playmaking role might be a sign of things to come. Usually a shooting guard, he expects new 76ers coach Chris Ford to give him more time at the point.

"I wouldn't mind at all," Iverson said. "That way, I get to handle the ball more. And anything I can do to help us win, I'm happy to do."