TORONTO -- Vince Carter's participation in the All-Star Game will hinge on his recovery from a knee injury.

	Carter

Carter, the leading vote-getter for the Eastern Conference All-Stars, has missed 19 straight games for the Toronto Raptors with a strained right knee. He missed 10 games earlier this season with a chronically injured left knee.

The All-Star Game is Feb. 9 in Atlanta.

"If I'm playing here, I'm healthy enough to play in the game," Carter said. "I would not play as many minutes there as I would for the Toronto Raptors anyway."

Carter, the leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game the past three seasons, was unable to play last year because of a left knee injury.

In the latest All-Star voting, Carter trails only Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I've played 10 games this year, and they still believe in me and voted for me," Carter said. "I'm in the top two of votes. I never would of dreamed of something like that."

Carter believes not playing, if he's healthy, would be disrespectful to the fans.

"That's a slap in their face, and I'm not about to do that," Carter said.

Carter practiced lightly Thursday, but is not ready to play yet. There is no timetable for his return.

Team doctor Doug Richards issued a statement Wednesday, saying a small portion of the tendon in Carter's right knee separated from his kneecap in December, and that he will continue to be evaluated periodically until he is strong enough to return.

Carter said he plans to return before the All-Star Game. He said he might overrule team doctors and return sooner than they want him to.

"I'm willing to take that chance," Carter said.

Penny Hardaway angered some of his Orlando Magic teammates in 1998 by returning from surgery earlier than expected to play in the All-Star Game, only to be sidelined for the year the following week.