Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic received the third-most All-Star votes overall with more than 2.3 million. He will be making his fourth consecutive appearance in the NBA All-Star Game and his third consecutive start.
Meanwhile, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, this year’s leading vote-getter in the NBA All-Star Balloting program presented by T-Mobile with 2,549,693 votes, became the first player in balloting history to draw at least 2.5 million votes on three separate occasions. James is making his sixth All-Star appearance and will start for the Eastern Conference for the sixth time in his career. Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, the second leading vote-getter overall with 2,456,224, paced the Western Conference.
Through the 2010 NBA All-Star Balloting program presented by T-Mobile, fans worldwide were responsible for voting in the starters for the 59th NBA All-Star Game, which will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio in the U.S., and reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages. The game will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before an expected crowd of more than 80,000 – the largest group ever to witness a live basketball game – on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010.
Joining James, the 2006 and 2008 All-Star Game MVP, in the Eastern Conference starting lineup at forward is Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics (1,978,116), the 2003 All-Star MVP. The starters for the East at guard are the Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade (2,327,550) and the Philadelphia 76ers’ Allen Iverson (1,269,568), the 2001 and 2005 All-Star Game MVP. Among active players, Garnett’s 13th All-Star selection ranks second to Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O’Neal (15). Dwight Howard (2,360,096) of the Orlando Magic is the starting center.
Bryant, the youngest All-Star in NBA history in 1998, is making his 12th appearance and was the All-Star MVP in 2002 and 2007, and co-MVP along with Shaquille O’Neal in 2009. Bryant is joined in the Western Conference starting backcourt by the Phoenix Suns’ Steve Nash (1,222,235). The Denver Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony (2,137,560) and the San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan (1,156,696), who is making his 12th appearance and was the co-MVP along with Shaquille O’Neal of the 2000 All-Star Game, are the starting forwards. The Suns’ Amar’e Stoudemire starts at center (1,824,093).
In selecting the reserves, the 30 NBA head coaches must vote for seven players within their conference, including two guards, two forwards, a center and two players regardless of position. Coaches are not permitted to vote for players on their team. After the coaches select the reserves, if a player is unable to participate in the All-Star Game, NBA Commissioner David Stern will select a replacement. Reserves will be announced Jan. 28, on TNT.
The East and West All-Star coaches and coaching staffs will be determined by the best record in each conference through games played Jan. 31. Last year’s East and West coaches – Cleveland’s Mike Brown and the L.A. Lakers’ Phil Jackson — are not eligible to coach this year’s All-Star Game.
NBA All-Star 2010 in Dallas will bring together some of the most talented and passionate players in the league’s history for a global celebration of the game. The week leading up to the 59th NBA All-Star Game will feature a full slate of community-enhancing activities and fan festivals, including NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas and the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam. This will be the second NBA All-Star in Dallas. The city also hosted the event in 1986.
In conjunction with All-Star Balloting, 2K Sports will give fans the opportunity to experience Dallas and the best of basketball by entering the NBA® 2K10 Sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to NBA All-Star 2010 and have their likeness as a digitized player incorporated in next year’s game, NBA® 2K11.
The final returns of both the Eastern and Western Conference for the 2010 NBA All-Star Balloting program presented by T-Mobile are attached:
Eastern Conference Western Conference
F – Kevin Garnett, Boston F – Carmelo Anthony, Denver
F – LeBron James, Cleveland F – Tim Duncan, San Antonio
C – Dwight Howard, Orlando C – Amar’e Stoudemire, Phoenix
G – Allen Iverson, Philadelphia G – Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
G – Dwyane Wade, Miami G – Steve Nash, Phoenix
Head coach: TBD Head coach: TBD
2010 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING EASTERN CONFERENCE
Forwards: LeBron James (Clev) 2,549,693; Kevin Garnett (Bos) 1,978,116; Chris Bosh (Tor) 1,164,007; Paul Pierce (Bos) 525,677; Josh Smith (Atl) 475,671; Andre Iguodala (Phi) 313,827; Danny Granger (Ind) 309,808; Rashard Lewis (Orl) 302,743; Michael Beasley (Mia) 277,400; Hedo Turkoglu (Tor) 213,369.
Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 2,327,550; Allen Iverson (Phi) 1,269,568; Vince Carter (Orl) 1,048,977; Ray Allen (Bos) 710,045; Derrick Rose (Chi) 571,911; Gilbert Arenas (Was) 545,860; Joe Johnson (Atl) 496,255; Rajon Rondo (Bos) 425,590; Jose Calderon (Tor) 292,909; Mike Bibby (Atl) 223,759.
Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 2,360,096; Shaquille O’Neal (Cle) 856,056; Al Horford (Atl) 270,532; Andrea Bargnani (Tor) 265,024; Brook Lopez (NJ) 223,246; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 202,072; Jermaine O’Neal (Mia) 159,327; Rasheed Wallace (Bos) 131,084; Brad Miller (Chi) 102,994; Kendrick Perkins (Bos) 90,278.
2010 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING WESTERN CONFERENCE
Forwards: Carmelo Anthony (Den) 2,137,560; Tim Duncan (SA) 1,156,696; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 1,093,005; Pau Gasol (LAL) 1,051,784; Kevin Durant (OKC) 870,567; Trevor Ariza (Hou) 645,937; Luis Scola (Hou) 580,243; Ron Artest (LAL) 368,281; Shawn Marion (Dal) 363,516; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 309,497.
Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 2,456,224; Steve Nash (Pho) 1,222,235; Chris Paul (NO) 1,055,789; Tracy McGrady (Hou) 1,022,492; Aaron Brooks (Hou) 591,930; Jason Kidd (Dal) 523,708; Manu Ginobili (SA) 465,211; Chauncey Billups (Den) 452,983; Tony Parker (SA) 439,536; Brandon Roy (Por) 422,290.
Centers: Amar’e Stoudemire (Pho) 1,824,093; Andrew Bynum (LAL) 981,355; Nene (Den) 364,543; Marc Gasol (Mem) 353,155; Antonio McDyess (SA) 328,717; Al Jefferson (Min) 252,777; Greg Oden (Por) 225,245; Marcus Camby (LAC) 188,240; Emeka Okafor (NO) 182,626; Andris Biedrins (GS) 167,481.
TOP 10 ALL-TIME SINGLE SEASON LEADING NBA ALL-STAR VOTE-GETTERS
Player Year Votes
1. Dwight Howard, Orl 2009 3,150,181
2. LeBron James, Cle 2009 2,940,823
3. Kobe Bryant, LAL 2009 2,805,397
4. Dwyane Wade, Mia 2009 2,741,413
5. Tim Duncan, SA 2009 2,578,168
6. Yao Ming, Hou 2005 2,558,278
7. LeBron James, Cle 2010 2,549,693
8. Yao Ming, Hou 2009 2,532,958
9. LeBron James, Cle 2007 2,516,049
10. Kobe Bryant, LAL 2010 2,456,224
2010 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING TOP 10 OVERALL LEADING VOTE-GETTERS
Player Votes
1. LeBron James, Cle 2,549,693
2. Kobe Bryant, LAL 2,456,224
3. Dwight Howard, Orl 2,360,096
4. Dwyane Wade, Mia 2,327,550
5. Carmelo Anthony, Den 2,137,560
6. Kevin Garnett, Bos 1,978,116
7. Amar’e Stoudemire, Pho 1,824,093
8. Allen Iverson, Phi 1,269,568
9. Steve Nash, Pho 1,222,235
10. Chris Bosh, Tor 1,164,007
