Let's call it The Allen Iverson Effect.

It happens when an undeserving fan favorite is voted as a starter to the All-Star Team based on past merits, in turn taking a spot from another player more worthy of the honor. With more all-star caliber players than reserve spots, someone is left watching the All-Star Game from his couch.

Allen Iverson was named as a starter to his ninth consecutive All-Star Game. Since being traded to the Detroit Pistons for Chauncey Billups, he is averaging a career-low in scoring (17.7 ppg), ranking him 42nd in the league behind even rookie guard O.J. Mayo (19.0). Iverson’s 5.3 assists per game are also the lowest since 2001 (Rajon Rondo is averaging 8.0).

But once a star, always a star to many. Even though the Pistons are worse with a shoot-first Iverson running the floor (11.5 games out of first place), he still received 1.8 million votes in the midst of a disappointing season.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Voting among Eastern Conference coaches was already going to be tough without factoring in Iverson. Young guards like Devin Harris, Jameer Nelson, Rajon Rondo, and Mo Williams were putting up similar numbers, while all but one were on teams with similar records. Meanwhile, veterans Ray Allen and Vince Carter were playing some of their best basketball in years.

As a result of Iverson's selection, one guard was snubbed. It's an unfortunate consequence of irresponsible fan voting that makes it impossible for the NBA All-Star Game to be a fair representation of the league's best talent.

(Stats through January 29)
Selected: Devin Harris, Jameer Nelson
Snubbed: Rajon Rondo, Mo Williams

Harris: 21.6 ppg, 43.9% FG, 30.3% 3PG, 83.0% FT, 3.1 rpg, 6.5 apg, 1.6 spg
Nelson: 16.9 ppg, 50.4% FG, 44.6% 3PG, 88.0% FT, 3.4 rpg, 5.4 apg, 1.2 spg
Rondo: 11.2 ppg. 51.0% FG, 32.3% 3PG, 62.6% FT, 5.0 rpg, 8.0 apg, 2.2 spg
Williams: 17.2 ppg, 47.2% FG, 38.6% 3PG, 93.8% FT, 3.3 rpg, 4.1 apg, 0.8 spg

The Case for Williams: Jameer Nelson's spot should have gone to Mo Williams. In just a few months he has turned the Cleveland Cavaliers from LeBron's team into a real team. He has given the Cavs another consistent shooter, even in losses (Williams: 17.4 ppg, Nelson: 13.7 ppg). Thanks to Williams' offensive contributions, James finally has the help he needs to push the Cavs into legitimate title contention.

The Case for Rondo: Rajon Rondo is the driving force behind the championship-defending Celtics. He can drive the lane well beyond his size and crashes the glass like a big man. (Rondo has seven double-doubles, compared to Nelson's two.) His stat line does not do him justice, as hustle, sacrifice, and basketball IQ are not reflected in numbers. It's been said that as goes Rondo goes the Celtics, and the Celtics have gone to a 38-9 record.

Selected: Rashard Lewis
Snubbed: Ray Allen, Vince Carter

Lewis: 19.3 ppg, 45.3% FG, 42.6% 3PG, 82.8% FT, 6.0 rpg, 2.6 apg
Allen: 18.0 ppg, 50.3% FG, 41.5% 3PG, 93.6% FT, 3.4 rpg, 2.8 apg
Carter: 21.5 ppg, 44.7% FG, 40.1% 3PG, 81.3% FT, 5.1 rpg, 4.7 apg

The Case for Allen: This season Ray Allen has stepped up his game, shooting 50% from the floor for the first time in his career. He is also shooting 57.5% in 2-point field goals, better than Dwight Howard (56.3%), and he isn't just hitting layups and slam dunks like the big man. Allen was one of the best shooters in NBA history before this season. In a year when he is performing even better than in past All-Star seasons, he should not have been left off the team.

The Case for Carter: With a 20-26 record, there was no way two New Jersey Nets were going to be voted in. Devin Harris is having a breakout season as one of the hottest young players in the league. It’s understandable that if Harris got the nod, Carter wouldn't, but there is no denying the caliber of the numbers he is putting up this season.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Even though the A.I. Effect didn't hit the Western Conference, that doesn't mean the team was free from snubs. There is a very "big" void on the roster.

Selected: Shaquille O'Neal, David West
Snubbed: Al Jefferson

O'Neal: 18.2 ppg, 59.9% FG, 62.8% FT, 9.1 rpg, 2.3 bpg
West: 20.0 ppg, 47.4% FG, 89.9% FT, 7.1 rpg, 1.0 bpg
Jefferson: 22.7 ppg, 49.2% FG, 74.5% FT, 10.5 rpg, 1.6 bpg

The Case for Jefferson: Last season Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks broke the mold by earning a selection on a losing team, and his numbers were nowhere near those of Al Jefferson. If the All-Star Game is supposed to highlight the best players, why is Al Jefferson being punished for the Timberwolves' inability to put together a winning roster? This is the biggest snub of them all -- the numbers speak for themselves.

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Jessica Camerato is a regular contributor for WEEI.com. She can be reached at jcamerato@weei.com