Miami Heat players Dwyane Wade and LeBron James have been officially announced as Eastern Conference All-Star Game starters by the NBA, along with top vote-getter Dwight Howard as well as Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony.
Out West, the starters are Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin and Andrew Bynum. Four of the starters call Staples Center in Los Angeles home.
James finished as the top vote-getting forward in the Eastern Conference with 1,360,680 votes. The 2012 All-Star appearance will mark the eighth consecutive for the two-time NBA All-Star MVP (2006 & 2008). In his previous seven All-Star appearances (all starts), he has averaged 24.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.57 steals and 30.7 minutes while shooting 51.1 percent from the line. Additionally, his 24.4 points per game All-Star average is the highest in NBA All-Star history.
Wade, the 2010 NBA All-Star MVP, finished with the second-highest votes for an Eastern Conference guard with 1,334,223 votes. His 2012 All-Star appearance will mark his eighth consecutive and the seventh straight year as a starter. In his previous seven All-Star appearances, he has averaged 16.9 points, 4.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 2.71 steals and 25.4 minutes. He hit the game-winning field goal in the 2006 All-Star Game and his eight appearances and seven starts are both Miami HEAT franchise highs.
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, NBA Commissioner David Stern will select a replacement. Reserves will be announced Feb. 9, on TNT.
The East and West All-Star coaches and coaching staffs will be determined by the best record in the conference through games played Feb. 15.
The 2012 NBA All-Star Game, which will air live at 8 p.m. ET on TNT and ESPN Radio in the U.S., and reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages, will be played at Amway Center in Orlando on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012.
Full voting results are below:
2012 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING PRESENTED BY SPRINT
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Forwards: LeBron James (Mia) 1,360,680; Carmelo Anthony (NYK) 1,041,290; Amar’e Stoudemire (NYK) 383,734; Kevin Garnett (Bos) 367,914; Chris Bosh (Mia) 324,605; Luol Deng (Chi) 276,205; Paul Pierce (Bos) 215,020; Carlos Boozer (Chi) 175,828; Andrea Bargnani (Tor) 152,362; Josh Smith (Atl) 119,638.
Guards: Derrick Rose (Chi) 1,514,723; Dwyane Wade (Mia) 1,334,223; Rajon Rondo (Bos) 547,110; Ray Allen (Bos) 382,147; Deron Williams (NJN) 208,697; Jose Calderon (Tor) 132,167; Richard Hamilton (Chi) 111,368; John Wall (Was) 96,606; Kyrie Irving (Cle) 96,346; Joe Johnson (Atl) 66,145.
Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 1,600,390; Joakim Noah (Chi) 236,497; Tyson Chandler (NYK) 163,077; Joel Anthony (Mia) 101,307; JaVale McGee (Was) 63,765; Al Horford (Atl) 50,396.
2012 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING PRESENTED BY SPRINT
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Forwards: Kevin Durant (OKC) 1,345,566; Blake Griffin (LAC) 876,451; Pau Gasol (LAL) 470,353; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 468,435; Kevin Love (Min) 373,880; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 279,500; Tim Duncan (SA) 185,069; Lamar Odom (Dal) 142,830; Danilo Gallinari (Den) 110,245; Rudy Gay (Mem) 95,228.
Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 1,555,479; Chris Paul (LAC) 1,138,743; Ricky Rubio (Min) 397,456; Steve Nash (Pho) 276,268;Russell Westbrook (OKC) 262,186; Kyle Lowry (Hou) 185,584; Monta Ellis (GS) 156,603; Chauncey Billups (LAC) 120,961; Jason Kidd (Dal) 114,924; Manu Ginobili (SA) 111,273.
Centers: Andrew Bynum (LAL) 1,051,945; DeAndre Jordan (LAC) 322,056; Marc Gasol (Mem) 285,525; Nenê (Den) 207,102; Marcin Gortat (Pho) 136,168; Kendrick Perkins (OKC) 99,811.
Pic courtesy of HEAT twitter account.
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