Steve Nash has closed to within 2,375 votes of the horrifically-undeserving Tracy McGrady in the race for a starting spot on the Western Conference All-Stars. McGrady left the Rockets before Christmas and is training on his own while awaiting a trade. Many observers — including Lakers coach Phil Jackson — have suggested that votes from Asia are inflating McGrady’s vote totals. McGrady and his Houston Rocket teammates are popular in China because they play with Yao Ming.
Some evidence to support the theory: Houston’s Trevor Ariza and Luis Scola are both ahead of Shawn Marion, Ron Artest and Lamar Odom in the voting, and Aaron Brooks leads Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups, Deron Williams and Tony Parker. (Yao is not on this year’s ballot, as he will miss the entire season while recovering from surgery.)
The other controversial projected starter — Allen Iverson — has a healthy 185,132-vote margin over Orlando’s Vince Carter in the race for the East’s second guard spot.
Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony are the West’s top vote-getters in the January 7 tally — the last tally that will be released before voting closes on January 18th. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are tops in the East.
All-Star Starters as of January 7, 2010
Western Conference:
- Guards: Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady
- Forwards: Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki
- Center: Amar’e Stoudemire
Eastern Conference:
- Guards: Dwyane Wade, Allen Iverson
- Forwards: LeBron James, Kevin Garnett
- Center: Dwight Howard
Online voting continues through January 18th.
- Get the complete vote tally as of January 7th at NBA.com
- Cast your own vote at NBA.com
- My picks for the Eastern and Western Conference All-Stars
Nash Closes on McGrady in Last All-Star Tally originally appeared on About.com Basketball on Thursday, January 7th, 2010 at 16:42:14.
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