[ad_1]
(Getty Images via AFP)
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, closing in on the top spot on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, led the fan vote for the league’s All-Star Game in the first round announced on Friday.
Fifteen days after voting opened, James had collected 3,168,694 votes.
Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant was the top voter in the Eastern Conference with 3,118,545.
The players leading the voting on each conference captain make both All-Star teams.
James has captained all five All-Star Games that have used the format, and his team beat the Durant-led East outfit in 2020 and 2021.
Voting continues through Jan. 21 for the midseason exhibition scheduled for Feb. 19 in Salt Lake City.
While James’ Lakers have struggled this season and are currently out of a playoff position in 12th place in the West, James himself is approaching the league’s favorite record.
He’s on pace to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 points) as the league’s leading scorer in February, possibly before the All-Star Game.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was second to Durant in the Eastern Conference voting for frontcourt player with 2,998,327 votes, followed by Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid (2,226,712).
Denver’s two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic was second behind James in the West (2,237,768 votes) with James’ Lakers teammate Anthony Davis third (2,063,325).
Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving and Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell are also now positioned to start in the East.
In the west, Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Dallas’ Luka Doncic hold down the two remaining starting spots.
gsg
Read Next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & 70+ other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to news, download from 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For suggestions, complaints, or questions, please contact us.
[ad_2]
Source link