"I'll probably do some work - write a letter or e-mail," Karl said Thursday. "I might Blueberry 'em all - since I don't know what the hell that means."

Despite leading the Northwest Division and owning the fourth- best record in the Western Conference, the Nuggets will not have a starter in the Feb. 15 showcase at the U.S. Airways Center.

Carmelo Anthony, second among Western Conference forwards Jan. 7, dropped to fifth in the voting after sitting out the past seven games because of a broken bone in his right hand.

Tim Duncan of San Antonio and Amare Stoudemire of Phoenix will start at forward for the West.

"I think some of the votes (for other players) came from when I went out," said Anthony, who was selected as a starter last year. "I think a lot of people were thinking that I wasn't going to be able to play in the All-Star Game. But if I get a chance to play, I am going to play."

Chauncey Billups, who has helped the Nuggets to a 27-12 record since he joined the team Nov. 7, finished 11th among guards in the West.

Nene, who leads the NBA in field-goal percentage and is averaging career-highs in points (14.2) and rebounds (8.1), wasn't listed on the All-Star ballot.

"He's had an All-Star-type of year," Karl said of Nene. "Probably won't make the All-Star team but should get some observations that he's close to being that type of player."

The Eastern and Western Conference coaches will fill out the rosters with seven reserves - at least one center, two guards, two forwards and two other players at any position.

Winning could be the best formula for Anthony or Billups for possibly both to land a spot when the reserves are announced Thursday.

If the Nuggets (28-15) continue to win at a .600 clip and remain atop their division at the All-Star break, the chances of a Mile High snub are minimal.

"I'm pretty sure they have to (select a Nugget)," Anthony said. "We're still leading the division. We still have one of the best records in the West. I'm pretty sure they're going to take that into consideration."

Billups is averaging 18.6 points and 6.9 assists since returning to his hometown in a trade that sent Allen Iverson to Detroit on Nov. 3. He was selected as an Eastern Conference reserve each of the past three seasons.

"If the coaches feel I deserve to be on there, that's their choice," Anthony said. "If they pick Chauncey, I take my hat off to him. Chauncey came here and helped us turn this thing around."

Though Billups has received much of the credit for Denver's strong first half, the Nuggets are 7-5 in 12 games without Anthony this season.

Anthony, averaging 21.1 points and 7.3 rebounds, is targeting a Jan. 30 return, and his workout Thursday fueled his optimism.

Cleared for noncontact drills for the first time since breaking his hand, he spent about 30 minutes shooting and dribbling.

"It's feeling a lot better," Anthony said. "I was surprised to be able to go out there and do what I did (Thursday). It's just motivation now."

Happy to be back on the court for the first time in nearly four weeks, Anthony took his ballot- box slide in stride, particularly because Stoudemire will be playing in front of his home fans.

"It's his All-Star Game," Anthony said. "If I was the starter, I probably would have gave him the starting spot anyway."

The gesture won't be necessary, but it certainly illustrates Anthony's shift in priorities this season. Stats and personal accolades are secondary to team success.

"Melo's confidence and demeanor after (winning) the Olympic gold medal (in the summer) is more of being on a winning team, leading a winning team, acting like a leader of a winning team," Karl said. "All those things have helped everybody have a better professionalism and a better attitude towards everyday Basketball."

Despite the 7.8-point drop in his scoring average from two seasons ago, Anthony believes he is playing better than at any other point of his career.

"With the team that we have, me scoring 20, 22 points a game, eight rebounds, four assists, I'll take that and the team will take that," he said. "They know on any given night I can go out and get 30 points.

"I think we're heading a different direction now, and they don't really need me to do it. And I don't really want to have to go out there and exert all that energy. This is my sixth year in the NBA and I've got a long way to go."

INFOBOX

All-Star starters

Western Conference

Pos. Player Team

F Tim Duncan Spurs

F Amare Stoudemire Suns

C Yao Ming Rockets

G Kobe Bryant Lakers

G Chris Paul Hornets

Coach:

Phil Jackson, Lakers Eastern Conference

Pos. Player Team

F Kevin Garnett Celtics

F LeBron James Cavaliers

C Dwight Howard Magic

G Allen Iverson Pistons

G Dwyane Wade Heat

Coach:

TBD.