When the Nuggets lost two of their first three games this season, Iverson could see the writing on the chalkboard. His days in Denver might be near an end.

"I kind of expected (to be traded)," he said Thursday. "The first couple games, I seen how things were going as far as the play-calling and my role early in the season. I felt something was going on. I wasn't shocked at all."

Iverson, who spent parts of three seasons with the Nuggets, was traded to the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 3 as part of the deal that brought Billups back home to Denver.

The Nuggets and Pistons meet for the first time since the trade Friday night at the Pepsi Center.

"The fans were great here," Iverson said. "They treated me great night in and night out. I think it'll be a great night for me."

Anthony moves up

Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony is in line to start his second straight All-Star Game.

Anthony moved past Phoenix forward Amare Stoudemire in the latest round of ballot returns and is second to Tim Duncan among Western Conference forwards.

"It's a good sign," Anthony said. "Obviously, I'm doing something good. Obviously, the team is doing something good. I wouldn't be up there if the fans didn't like me."

Anthony is expected to miss at least three more weeks because of a broken bone in his right hand, but that gives him plenty of time to return for the Feb. 15 All-Star game in Phoenix.

No homecoming king

Antonio McDyess, once a fan favorite in Denver, is unsure how Nuggets fans will react tonight when he takes the floor for the Pistons.

McDyess was included in the Iverson trade but instead worked out a buyout agreement with the Nuggets. He then re-signed with the Pistons on Dec. 9.

"I'll have to wait and see about (the crowd response)," McDyess said. "I haven't did anything, so I don't expect no boos or nothing. If I do, it is what it is. It's sport, so you can get booed or you can get praised at any time."