Take a look at some of the society’s All-Star picks in our roundtable.
For the first time, Kawhi Leonard is an NBA All-Star and also a starter. For the first time, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant will both start for the West — this will be Durant’s seventh consecutive All-Star appearance. And for the 18th and final time, Kobe Bryant will start for the West.
Kobe was the leader in All-Star votes followed by Steph Curry and LeBron James. This was the fourth time in Bryant’s career he was the leading vote-getter (2003, 2011, 2013, and 2016).
West Starters:
Stephen Curry (1,604,325 votes)
Russell Westbrook (772,009 votes)
Kobe Bryant (1,891,614 votes)
Kawhi Leonard (782,339 votes)
Kevin Durant (980,787 votes)
Rest of West voting:
Guards:
Chris Paul (624,334 votes)
Klay Thompson (555,513 votes)
James Harden (430,777 votes)
Manu Ginobili (226,289 votes)
Rajon Rondo (200,518 votes)
Tony Parker (195,472 votes)
Andre Iguodala (181,142 votes)
Damian Lillard (158,360 votes)
Forwards:
Zaza Pachulia (768,112 votes)
Draymond Green (726,616 votes)
Blake Griffin (651,860 votes)
Enes Kanter (534,499 votes)
Tim Duncan (431,087 votes)
Anthony Davis (400,688 votes)
DeMarcus Cousins (364,270 votes)
DeAndre Jordan (269,427 votes)
LaMarcus Aldridge (268,003 votes)
Dwight Howard (219,761 votes)
Dirk Nowitzki (173,317 votes)
Harrison Barnes (155,289 votes)
Kobe’s special standing in this situation might have taken away from someone like Draymond Green being a starter, but if you noticed, Zaza Pachulia was actually next in voting for the forwards. How that is possible is yet to be revealed.
Fun fact: Kawhi Leonard joins Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history with an All-Star selection, a Final MVP, and a Defensive Player of the Year.
East Starters:
Kyle Lowry (646,441 votes)
Dwyane Wade (941,466 votes)
LeBron James (1,089,206 votes)
Paul George (711,595 votes)
Carmelo Anthony (567,348 votes)
Rest of East voting:
Guards:
Kyrie Irving (580,651 votes)
Jimmy Butler (564,637 votes
DeMar DeRozan (444,868 votes)
John Wall (368,686 votes)
Derrick Rose (302,389 votes)
Jeremy Lin (195,920 votes)
Isaiah Thomas (153,642 votes)
Reggie Jackson (76,688 votes)
Forwards:
Pau Gasol (566,988 votes)
Andre Drummond (515,296 votes)
Kristaps Porzingis (473,579 votes)
Chris Bosh (351,420 votes)
Kevin Love (332,685 votes)
Hassan Whiteside (301,362 votes)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (84,617 votes)
Jonas Valanciunas (73,079 votes)
Joakim Noah (48,509 votes)
DeMarre Carroll (46,044 votes)
Marcin Gortat (43,496 votes)
Paul Millsap (41,654 votes)
LeBron James is making his 12th consecutive start for the East. Kyle Lowry edged out Kyrie Irving, who’s only played 15 games this season, to make his second straight start at guard. Dwyane Wade was the leading vote-getter in the East, but there’s no question that Jimmy Butler has been the conference’s best shooting guard this season.
Carmelo Anthony makes his ninth All-Star appearance at forward. Since the center position was taken out of voting, Pau Gasol and Andre Drummond found themselves competing with the likes of Melo, LeBron, and Paul George. The same is true for DeMarcus Cousins in the West.
The reserves for the 2016 NBA All-Star Game will be announced in the next few days.
