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Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is the top vote-getter for the NBA All-Star game after the third returns came in on Thursday. Bryant is followed in the Western Conference by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant. Rounding out the current starting five is Bryant's teammate, Dwight Howard, Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul and Paul's teammate, Blake Griffin.
Miami Heat forward LeBron James leads all Eastern Conference vote-getters while being second in the league overall to Bryant. James, New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, Celtics forward Kevin Garnett, Celtics guard Rajon Rondo and Heat guard Dwyane Wade make out the current starting five for the East.
This would be the 15th All-Star game of Bryant's career, with four of them ending in his being named MVP. Bryant's first All-Star game came at the tender age of 19 in 1998. Bryant is now a 34-year-old grizzled vet.
The 62nd All-Star game will be on Feb. 17 in Houston at the Toyota Center.