All-Star Balloting Third Returns Announced

[Celts09]

Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics and LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers remain the leaders in the Eastern Conference, while Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets lead Western Conference players after the third returns of 2008 NBA All-Star Balloting program presented by T-Mobile.

Forwards: Kevin Garnett (Bos) 1,527,963; LeBron James (Clev) 1,294,019; Chris Bosh (Tor) 411,313; Paul Pierce (Bos) 352,243; Yi Jianlian (Mil) 291,447; Caron Butler (Was) 187,396; Hedo Turkoglu (Orl) 172,720; Tayshaun Prince (Det) 155,502; Josh Smith (Atl) 143,518; Rashard Lewis (Orl) 143,118.

Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 1,019,582; Jason Kidd (NJ) 743,683; Ray Allen (Bos) 617,123; Vince Carter (NJ) 612,543; Gilbert Arenas (Was) 511,763; Chauncey Billups (Det) 331,872; Michael Redd (Mil) 221,777; Richard Hamilton (Det) 163,250; Joe Johnson (Atl) 149,367; Andre Iguodala (Phi) 140, 292.

Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 1,260,987; Shaquille O'Neal (Mia) 609,597; Rasheed Wallace (Det) 162,792; Ben Wallace (Chi) 146,332; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 132,469; Jermaine O

[DorfonCeltics]

If things continue like this, KG, Paul, AND Ray have a good chance of making the team. That's the way it should be. I'd say KG and Paul or definite while Ray is on the fringe.

[Celts09]

so does the top 3 of each position get in? or is it the top 2 of every position and then the coaches pick?

[LuniNutz]

I thought it was that the top 5 (1 center/2 guard/2 forward) get to be starters and then the others are chosen by coaches and the like. I'm probably wrong though. If that is correct however, could Ray Allen pass up Kidd and start?

[kmgarnett21]

i think its the top two at guard and forward, and the top one at center, then the rest are chosen by coaches. i think.

i'm willing to bet that all three will definitely be on there. they are all contributing tremendously on the best team with a record tying number of wins thus far. no doubt they all three get in.

[Datruth345]

Kevin Garnett (Bos) 1,527,963
Ray Allen (Bos) 617,123
Paul Pierce (Bos) 352,243

having kg and lebron at the same position is killing pierce's votes

[kmgarnett21]

whats pathetic is dwade will be starting...ray allen, michael redd, chauncey billups, rip hamilton, joe johnson and maybe iguodala all deserve to be ahead of wade.

[Kefa461]

Doc will get to coach and pick with a little luck right ?

[Cyclical]

i think its the top two at guard and forward, and the top one at center, then the rest are chosen by coaches. i think.

Yes, that's how it is. To simplify:

The starting 5 are locked in
C - Howard
PF - KG
SF - LeBron
SG - Wade
PG - Kidd

Bench (coach's choice) shoe-ins
Chris Bosh, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Chauncey Billups, Shaq (for popularity sake only)

On the fence
Caron Butler, Vince Carter (popularity), Rasheed Wallace (for need of another big man).

About to fall off the fence
Michael Redd, Richard Hamilton, Joe Johnson, Iggy


I don't see any way Yi or Hedo get in.

[sarah42]

Hedo should get in though. dude has turned into the number 1 option for one of the best teams in the league (at the end of games I mean)...since despite his great start, Dwight can't hit free throws no more and is a liability at the end of close game sometimes. he's turned back into shaq form in that area.

[Kaykoose]

Doc is going to be coaching, that means tons of time for our big 3

[MaxwellSmart]

if Doc was smart,he'd rest our guys and play Billups,LeBron and Howard 40 minutes + each.

[Celts09]

if Doc was smart,he'd rest our guys and play Billups,LeBron and Howard 40 minutes + each.

haha and maybe get some players on the west to ruff these 3 players up

[P2]

I can't believe Ray almost doubles Pierce's votes. Anyhow, it's the league's choaches who will be voting the rest of the players in. The 2 best vote getters in guards and forwards, and the best vote getter in centers will get the start.

After that, all the coaches (or GMs) of the 30 teams can rank 5 players for each position, with their #1 getting 5 points and their #5 getting 1 points. After all the choaches have done that, the 7 with the most points will be selected to the All-Star game.

[Cyclical]

I can't believe Ray almost doubles Pierce's votes.

I'm sure Ray is getting nostalgia votes from Seattle and Milwuakee.

[Taget]

Ray is still within striking distance of Kidd. Remember to remind everyone to keep voting and let's see if we can close the gap!