LAS VEGAS _ Carmelo Anthony has had a receiving line for those wishing him luck in Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game.

On Friday night, it was Michael Jordan. The Nuggets forward, who is involved with Brand Jordan, attended Jordan’s party at the MGM Grand.

"He said, ‘Congratulations,’’’ said Anthony, who will play in his first All-Star Game for the West at the Thomas & Mack Center. "Just have fun.’’

On Saturday, it was NBA commissioner David Stern. It was Stern who selected Anthony as an injury replacement after Anthony, largely because of the 15-game suspension he received for his role in a Dec. 16 brawl, was passed over as a reserve by coaches.

"I said, ‘Hi. Good luck. You deserve to be there,’’’ said Stern, whom Anthony regularly has thanked in interviews since being named Feb. 9.

On Saturday, Anthony also finally ran into Chauncey Billups, a Detroit guard and Denver native who will play for the East in Sunday’s game.

"I just told him that I’m happy for him, proud for him,’’ said Billups, who gave Anthony a big hug. "He’s been through a lot in his early career already. I thought he should have got in in the regular vote, but he didn’t make it. But he kept playing and didn’t hang his head. I’m proud of him. He deserves to be here.’’

Anthony doesn’t disagree. A day before he was scheduled to take the floor for his initial All-Star Game, he knew he wants to make it an annual ritual.

"I got to be a lock now,’’ he said. "I got to be here every year. I got to.

"I thought I was supposed to be here a few years. Unfortunately, I wasn’t. This is my first year. I’m pretty sure that there will be many years that I’ll be in the All-Star Game.

Anthony was passed over in each of his first three years. His most disappointing snub was 2005, when the game was in Denver.

Despite leading the NBA with a 30.7 scoring average, it wasn’t easy for Anthony to get in this time. He wasn’t named a starter in fan voting and then said he was "shocked’’ when the coaches passed him over.

But Stern threw him a life preserver.

"I’m glad the commissioner didn’t hold the incident over my head,’’ said Anthony, who was suspended after he punched New York’s Mardy Collins.

Anthony claims he won’t be trying to prove a point because he initially was passed over. But Dallas forward Josh Howard, who also was snubbed as a reserve before being named an injury replacement by Stern, didn’t completely believe that.

"We’re going to find out,’’ Howard said when asked if he and Anthony have extra incentive. "He’s a great player. Hopefully, we can get some opportunities to get some time out there.’’

When Anthony was passed over in 2005, he was quite fired up when he showed up for the Rookie Challenge. He scored 31 points and was named Most Valuable Player.

Yes, Anthony was disappointed at not being in the main game in 2005. And, yes, he was disappointed being passed over on two other occasions.

But, when he thought about it Saturday, he figured Las Vegas isn’t a bad place to make his All-Star debut.

"Just being here is great for me,’’ he said. "Especially in Vegas. My first All-Star Game in Vegas. It don’t get no better than that.’’

tomassonc@RockyMountainNews.com