The starters for the 2010 NBA All-Star Game have been announced, and thankfully, Houston’s prodigal son Tracy McGrady didn’t make the cut. Steve Nash came from behind to win the starting spot alongside Kobe Bryant in the Western Conference backcourt.
NBA leading scorer Carmelo Anthony, perennial all-star Tim Duncan and Nash’s teammate Amar’e Stoudemire also won starting spots in the West.
The Eastern Conference team wasn’t able to avoid a controversial selection or two. The East’s starting five will be LeBron James and Kevin Garnett at forward, Dwight Howard in the middle, and Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson at the guard spots.
Iverson’s win will generate a lot of “take away the fan vote” suggestions — but it’s not hard to see how this happened. Aside from Wade, there’s really no blindingly obvious all-star guards in the East this season. Vince Carter placed third, and he’s in the midst of the worst season of his career. Derrick Rose (4th among Eastern Conference guards) got off to a slow start.
I voted for Rajon Rondo, but he’s hardly a household name among casual fans at this stage of his career.
Let’s call it a lifetime achievement award and leave it at that.
The same could be said of Kevin Garnett, who was elected in the midst of one of the worst statistical seasons of his career. I would have preferred Toronto’s Chris Bosh — who placed third — in that spot.
LeBron James was the top vote-getter overall, with 2,549,693 fan votes. Kobe Bryant was right behind, with 2,456,224. Howard, Wade and Anthony also received over 2 million votes each.
2010 NBA All-Star Voting Complete Results:
Eastern Conference
Forwards: LeBron James (Clev) 2,549,693; Kevin Garnett (Bos) 1,978,116; Chris Bosh (Tor) 1,164,007; Paul Pierce (Bos) 525,677; Josh Smith (Atl) 475,671; Andre Iguodala (Phi) 313,827; Danny Granger (Ind) 309,808; Rashard Lewis (Orl) 302,743; Michael Beasley (Mia) 277,400; Hedo Turkoglu (Tor) 213,369.
Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 2,327,550; Allen Iverson (Phi) 1,269,568; Vince Carter (Orl) 1,048,977; Ray Allen (Bos) 710,045; Derrick Rose (Chi) 571,911; Gilbert Arenas (Was) 545,860; Joe Johnson (Atl) 496,255; Rajon Rondo (Bos) 425,590; Jose Calderon (Tor) 292,909; Mike Bibby (Atl) 223,759.
Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 2,360,096; Shaquille O’Neal (Cle) 856,056; Al Horford (Atl) 270,532; Andrea Bargnani (Tor) 265,024; Brook Lopez (NJ) 223,246; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 202,072; Jermaine O’Neal (Mia) 159,327; Rasheed Wallace (Bos) 131,084; Brad Miller (Chi) 102,994; Kendrick Perkins (Bos) 90,278.
Western Conference
Forwards: Carmelo Anthony (Den) 2,137,560; Tim Duncan (SA) 1,156,696; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 1,093,005; Pau Gasol (LAL) 1,051,784; Kevin Durant (OKC) 870,567; Trevor Ariza (Hou) 645,937; Luis Scola (Hou) 580,243; Ron Artest (LAL) 368,281; Shawn Marion (Dal) 363,516; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 309,497.
Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 2,456,224; Steve Nash (Pho) 1,222,235; Chris Paul (NO) 1,055,789; Tracy McGrady (Hou) 1,022,492; Aaron Brooks (Hou) 591,930; Jason Kidd (Dal) 523,708; Manu Ginobili (SA) 465,211; Chauncey Billups (Den) 452,983; Tony Parker (SA) 439,536; Brandon Roy (Por) 422,290.
Centers: Amar’e Stoudemire (Pho) 1,824,093; Andrew Bynum (LAL) 981,355; Nene (Den) 364,543; Marc Gasol (Mem) 353,155; Antonio McDyess (SA) 328,717; Al Jefferson (Min) 252,777; Greg Oden (Por) 225,245; Marcus Camby (LAC) 188,240; Emeka Okafor (NO) 182,626; Andris Biedrins (GS) 167,481.
All-Star Starters Announced, McGrady Crisis Averted originally appeared on About.com Basketball on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 11:43:39.
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