NBA NEWS - YAO MING VOTED AN ALL STAR STARTER

Yao Ming was flying high in this photo. Yao was selected by fans to be the starting center for the West All-Star team but injuries will not permit him to play - Keith Allison photo

Due to an injury the fans choice won't be able to play - Kobe Bryant, a three-time All-Star MVP, is this year’s leading vote-getter - Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, Chicago’s Derrick Rose Selected as First-time Starters - Orlando’s Dwight Howard Leading Vote-Getter in East

THE FINAL COUNT

NEW YORK, NY USA

Friday January 28, 2011

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, a three-time All-Star MVP, is this year’s leading vote-getter in the NBA All-Star Balloting program with 2,380,016 votes. It is Bryant’s 13th consecutive All-Star selection; only Jerry West, Karl Malone and Shaquille O’Neal, with 14 straight nods each, have more. Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, the second leading vote-getter overall with 2,099,204, paced the Eastern Conference.

Bryant, the youngest All-Star in NBA history in 1998, and the All-Star MVP in 2002 and 2007, and co-MVP along with Shaquille O’Neal in 2009, is joined in the Western Conference starting backcourt by the New Orleans Hornets’ Chris Paul (1,281,591). The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (1,736,728), making his first All-Star Game start, and the Denver Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony (1,299,849) are the starting forwards. The Houston Rockets’ Yao Ming gets the nod at center (1,146,426). NBA Commissioner David Stern will select a replacement for Yao, who is injured with a stress fracture in his left ankle.

Joining Howard in the Eastern Conference starting lineup at forward are the Miami Heat’s LeBron James (2,053,011), the 2006 and 2008 All-Star Game MVP, and the New York Knicks’ Amar’e Stoudemire (1,674,995). The starters for the East at guard are the Heat’s Dwyane Wade (2,048,175), last year’s All-Star Game MVP, and the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose (1,914,996), who earns his first All-Star Game start. James and Wade are the first set of teammates to start an All-Star Game for the Eastern Conference since Wade and Shaquille O’Neal represented the Heat in 2007 in Las Vegas.

Fans around the world voted daily for their favorite players as starters for the 2011 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 60th All-Star Game will be played at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 20.

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, Commissioner Stern will select a replacement. Reserves will be announced Feb. 3, on TNT.

San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich earned the right to coach the West following the Spurs’ 113-102 win over the Golden State Warriors Monday, which guaranteed them the best record in the conference through Feb. 6. The East All-Star coach and coaching staff will be determined by the best record in the conference through games played Feb. 6.

Los Angeles and the STAPLES Center will host NBA All-Star 2011, marking the fifth time The City of Angels and the second time STAPLES Center will be the site of the annual celebration. STAPLES Center last played host to NBA All-Star in 2004, and L.A. also hosted the All-Star Game in 1963, 1972, and 1983.

ALL-STAR BALLOTING EASTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: LeBron James (Mia) 2,053,011; Amar’e Stoudemire (NYK) 1,674,995; Kevin Garnett (Bos) 1,407,601; Paul Pierce (Bos) 804,838; Chris Bosh (Mia) 571,734; Carlos Boozer (Chi) 504,610; Danilo Gallinari (NYK) 390,658; Josh Smith (Atl) 387,843; Luol Deng (Chi) 291,118; Danny Granger (Ind) 279,522.

Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 2,048,175; Derrick Rose (Chi) 1,914,996; Rajon Rondo (Bos) 1,587,297; Ray Allen (Bos) 890,951; Raymond Felton (NYK) 397,301; John Wall (Was) 337,368; Gilbert Arenas (Orl) 312,903; Brandon Jennings (Mil) 301,225; Jamal Crawford (Atl) 246,130, Joe Johnson (Atl) 224,571.

Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 2,099,204; Shaquille O'Neal (Bos) 906,284; Joakim Noah (Chi) 432,127; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 301,896; Al Horford (Atl) 287,083; Roy Hibbert (Ind) 250,614; Andrea Bargnani (Tor) 215,123; Brook Lopez (NJ) 166,844; JaVale McGee (Was) 146,474; Ben Wallace (Det) 113,443.

ALL-STAR BALLOTING WESTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Kevin Durant (OKC) 1,736,728; Carmelo Anthony (Den) 1,299,849; Pau Gasol (LAL) 1,100,772; Blake Griffin (LAC) 1,033,646; Tim Duncan (SA) 839,599; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 785,120; Lamar Odom (LAL) 529,854; Kevin Love (Min) 492,173; Luis Scola (Hou) 411,576; Rudy Gay (Mem) 284,021.

Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 2,380,016; Chris Paul (NOH) 1,281,591; Manu Ginobili (SA) 748,840; Steve Nash (Pho) 718,934; Russell Westbrook (OKC) 660,244; Deron Williams (Utah) 657,806; Tony Parker (SA) 436,958; Jason Kidd (Dal) 394,793; Monta Ellis (GSW) 390,237; Vince Carter (Pho) 353,143.

Centers: Yao Ming (Hou) 1,146,426; Andrew Bynum (LAL) 974,546; Nene (Den) 599,048; Marc Gasol (Mem) 524,932; Emeka Okafor (NOH) 435,218; Brendan Haywood (Dal) 352,811; Marcus Camby (Por) 279,026; Chris Kaman (LAC) 196,268; Andris Biedrins (GSW) 175,547; DeMarcus Cousins (Sac) 152,976.

(NBA)