LeBron, Curry take leads in NBA All-Star fan vote after 2nd returns
Giannis Antetokounmpo's spot as the leading vote-getter for the NBA All-Star Game has been snatched away from him.
Following the release of the second returns for All-Star fan voting Thursday, the title of being the overall vote leader now belongs to Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, who finds himself 141,884 votes ahead of The Greek Freak.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry has the slight edge over teammate and previous vote leader Kevin Durant in the running to be named the Western Conference captain.
The Second #NBAAllStar Voting Returns for Eastern Conference players!
— 2018 NBA All-Star (@NBAAllStar) January 11, 2018
VOTE NOW: https://t.co/UjbrNUQ7Vw pic.twitter.com/pd1IaxfinV
The Second #NBAAllStar Voting Returns for Western Conference players!
— 2018 NBA All-Star (@NBAAllStar) January 11, 2018
VOTE NOW: https://t.co/UjbrNUQ7Vw pic.twitter.com/P9Y0ufSIvd
Nine of the 10 players in the driver's seat to be chosen as starters remain intact from the first returns. The only change is Warriors forward Draymond Green vaulting New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins for the third frontcourt slot in the West.
East
| Player | Team | 1st returns (rank) | 2nd returns (rank) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyrie Irving | Boston Celtics | 1 | 1 |
| DeMar DeRozan | Toronto Raptors | 2 | 2 |
| Ben Simmons | Philadelphia 76ers | 4 | 3 |
| Victor Oladipo | Indiana Pacers | 3 | 4 |
| Dwyane Wade | Cleveland Cavaliers | 6 | 5 |
| John Wall | Washington Wizards | 5 | 6 |
| Isaiah Thomas | Cleveland Cavaliers | 7 | 7 |
| Kyle Lowry | Toronto Raptors | 8 | 8 |
| Bradley Beal | Washington Wizards | 9 | 9 |
| Jaylen Brown | Boston Celtics | 10 | 10 |
| Player | Team | 1st returns (rank) | 2nd returns (rank) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeBron James | Cleveland Cavaliers | 2 | 1 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | 1 | 2 |
| Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers | 3 | 3 |
| Kristaps Porzingis | New York Knicks | 4 | 4 |
| Kevin Love | Cleveland Cavaliers | 5 | 5 |
| Al Horford | Boston Celtics | 6 | 6 |
| Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics | 7 | 7 |
| Enes Kanter | New York Knicks | 9 | 8 |
| Andre Drummond | Detroit Pistons | 8 | 9 |
| Dwight Howard | Charlotte Hornets | 10 | 10 |
West
| Player | Team | 1st returns (rank) | 2nd returns (rank) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | 1 | 1 |
| James Harden | Houston Rockets | 2 | 2 |
| Russell Westbrook | OKC Thunder | 3 | 3 |
| Klay Thompson | Golden State Warriors | 4 | 4 |
| Manu Ginobili | San Antonio Spurs | 5 | 5 |
| Chris Paul | Houston Rockets | 6 | 6 |
| Lonzo Ball | Los Angeles Lakers | 8 | 7 |
| Damian Lillard | Portland Trail Blazers | 7 | 8 |
| Jimmy Butler | Minnesota Timberwolves | 10 | 9 |
| Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns | 9 | 10 |
| Player | Team | 1st returns (rank) | 2nd returns (rank) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Durant | Golden State Warriors | 1 | 1 |
| Anthony Davis | New Orleans Pelicans | 2 | 2 |
| Draymond Green | Golden State Warriors | 4 | 3 |
| DeMarcus Cousins | New Orleans Pelicans | 3 | 4 |
| Paul George | OKC Thunder | 5 | 5 |
| Kawhi Leonard | San Antonio Spurs | 6 | 6 |
| Carmelo Anthony | OKC Thunder | 7 | 7 |
| Kyle Kuzma | Los Angeles Lakers | 9 | 8 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Minnesota Timberwolves | 8 | 9 |
| LaMarcus Aldridge | San Antonio Spurs | 10 | 10 |
Fan votes account for 50 percent of the weighted vote, with the other half coming from players and members of the media.
The starting lineups, along with the two captains (currently James and Curry), will be announced Jan. 18. The reserves, as selected by coaches, will come five days later on Jan. 23.
The 67th All-Star Game goes down Feb. 18 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.