LeBron James and Stephen Curry lead first returns of the All-Star voting
Two weeks after the voting began for the All-Star starters, the first returns of the voting results have come in. Despite changing franchises this summer, the popularity of LeBron James has not taken a hit as he is the league leader in votes with 552,967. Meanwhile in the Western Conference, current MVP frontrunner Stephen Curry is leading vote getter and second overall with 549,095.
The next best vote getter in the East is way behind James and that man is Washington Wizards point guard John Wall with 299,209. In the West, superstar in the making Anthony Davis is not far behind Curry in second place with 524,623. The third place in either Conference is occupied by veterans Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. Bryant for the West has 521,542 while Wade for the East has 265,917.The remaining starting spots are currently occupied by Blake Griffin and Marc Gasol in the West, and Carmelo Anthony and Pau Gasol in the East.
A trio of starters from last year’s All-Star game are not in the top five so far-Kevin Durant who missed 17 games with a Jones fracture on his right leg is currently fifth in the West with 191,881, Kyrie Irving who was last year’s All-Star Game MVP is currently third in votes among East guards and finally Kevin Love who moved from the West to East after being traded to Cleveland is currently fifth in the East’s frontcourt list.
This year’s NBA All-Star Weekend takes place in New York and Brooklyn. The Saturday events of Foot Locker Three point shooting contest, Sears shooting stars, Taco Bell Skills Challenge and Sprite Slam Dunk along with the Friday night’s BBVA Rising Stars Challenge will take place in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. The Sunday main even of All-Star game, the 64th in league history will take place at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York.