Gilbert Arenas beat out Vince Carter by just 3,010 votes in the final All-Star ballots to claim the starting guard spot along with Dwayne Wade for the Eastern Conference. It was the fourth-closest margin for a starting spot. Arenas was 214,460 votes behind Carter two weeks ago, but finished with 1,454,166 to Carter’s 1,451,156.

On being voted a starter:

“It is an unbelievable feeling. Two years ago, I was voting myself in for the game. Now fans are voting me in, and I’m going to do what they are looking for. I’ve got something to give back to the fans during All-Star weekend.”

On the Iverson trade:

“That was a blessing in disguise. It potentially opened years of getting in because of him going out West. He ate up all of the votes, along with Dwyane Wade. Now all I had to do is catch Vince Carter, and that is what I did.”

On being named an injury replacement after being snubbed by the coaches last year:

“It feels great. I am guaranteed now, and I do not have to leave it in the hands of the coaches voting for me”

It looks like the Vote for Gilbert campaign worked afterall.

The West team will be coached by Phoenix’s Mike D’Antoni, which should give Gilbert some added motivation.