The latest NBA All-Star voting tallies have been released, and unsurprisingly, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers has more votes than anyone else. Bryant has more than 17% more votes than the next-leading vote getter in the NBA, center Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic. Kobe's teammate, Pau Gasol, ranks third among Western Conference forwards, a mere 5,315 votes behind Carmelo Anthony for a starting spot for the game, to be held at Staples Center on February 20, 2011.
↵Bryant, who also led after the first tally of votes two weeks ago, has 1,153,694 votes so far, almost double the next guard in the West, Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets. Kobe has been named starter for 11 straight All-Star games, and 12 of the last 13, although he missed last year's contest while nursing an injury.
↵Gasol has made three All-Star teams, including each of the last two seasons, but never as a starter. Gasol is listed as a forward on the ballot even though he has started 31 of 32 games this season at center. Gasol has 597,201 votes, third among forwards in the West, behind Kevin Durant (735,521 votes) and Carmelo Anthony (602,516).
↵Andrew Bynum, who has played all of eight games this season, ranks second among centers in the West, behind the injured Yao Ming of the Rockets. Paper balloting will continue through January 17, while online voting will continue through January 23. Starters for the All-Star game will be announced on TNT on January 27.
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