Dwyane Wade misses All-Star starter spot

Despite finishing with the second-most votes from fans among all Eastern Conference guards for the 2019 All Star Game, Dwyane Wade will not play in the game — at least as a starter.

Starting in 2017, the NBA changed its selection process for choosing All Star Game starters from a simple fan vote to a process that goes beyond a simple popularity contest. The fan vote accounts for 50 percent of the total vote, and a players’ vote and media panel each account for 25 percent.

Wade finished in sixth place in the player and media votes. With all three voting categories accounted for, the Heat guard finished tied with Ben Simmons as just missing the cutoff to make it as a starter.

Kyrie Irving, who was lone player ahead of Wade in the fan vote among East guards, will join Kemba Walker in the backcourt as a starter. Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid round out the starters for the East.

Now, Wade can still play in the All Star Game this year — his last season in the NBA — if coaches vote him in as a reserve; the NBA will announce the results of that vote next Thursday.

Wade, who is a 12-time All-Star, won the 2010 All Star Game MVP award.