NBA Is Expected to Allow Magic to Start in the All-Star Game
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If Magic Johnson holds his position when final voting totals are released today, he is expected to be confirmed by the NBA to start in the All-Star game and to announce that he will play.
A tally released Wednesday showed Johnson running second among Western Conference guards, behind Clyde Drexler of the Portland Trail Blazers, 346,122 votes to 256,873, and ahead of third-place Tim Hardaway of the Golden State Warriors, who has 149,557.
Johnson and league officials have refused comment on the possibility that he might play. He and Commissioner David Stern decided at a meeting in New York earlier this month to await the final tally before saying anything, so neither party would appear to be influencing the voting.
However, Johnson is known to be eager to play. He is an 11-time All-Star, having missing being selected only when a knee injury sidelined him in his second season.
He was the game’s most valuable player two years ago in Miami and holds All-Star records for assists in one game and a career.
This season’s game will be played Feb. 9 at Orlando, Fla.
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