He found them often enough last night to record nine assists to go with 19 points as the East rookies beat the West, 96-91, at Gund Arena in the NBA's rookie all-star game. As a result, he was named the game's MVP.

"I wasn't expecting anything like this,'' said Iverson, who has been maligned this season as the too-wild poster child for Generation X. "But I'm not hoping that now everybody will be on my side because of this award. It's not going to be that way, no matter how well I play.''

"I wasn't expecting anything like this," Iverson said.... "But I'm not hoping that now everybody will be on my side because of this award. It's not going to be that way, no matter how well I play."

Iverson displayed terrific passing and his usual flamboyant style during the 30-minute game. He did commit four turnovers, but that didn't seem to matter. His selection as MVP was met with a few boos from the crowd, but negative reactions are something he is getting used to.

"I wish I wasn't singled out so much, but that's another obstacle I have to face,'' Iverson said. "I'm willing to do that.''

Iverson has been the subject of intense scrutiny since a bowling-alley brawl four years ago landed him in jail on a conviction that was later overturned. He has been criticized for the company he keeps and will probably be further criticized for recently acknowledging that he owns a handgun for protection.

"I'd rather he have a bodyguard, but he's a citizen and he has a right to have a gun if he wants,'' Sixers president Pat Croce said. "He has a permit for it. What can I say to him? I own a gun, too.''

In all probability, the scrutiny and the criticism will continue. But last night, Iverson came away with a big prize. And he won it with legendary coach Red Auerbach on the bench for the East team.

"I was kind of in awe, hearing the things he was saying about how to control the pace of the game,'' Iverson said.

Auerbach was the Boston Celtics' coach when John Thompson, Iverson's coach at Georgetown, played for them.