Stars
LeBron, Kobe to lead East, West in All-Star
(nba.com)
Updated: 2010-01-22 11:19
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NEW YORK: Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, this year's leading vote-getter in the NBA All-Star Balloting program presented by T-Mobile with 2,549,693 votes, became the first player in balloting history to draw at least 2.5 million votes on three separate occasions. James is making his sixth All-Star appearance and will start for the Eastern Conference for the sixth time in his career. Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, the second leading vote-getter with 2,456,224, paced the Western Conference.
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Through the 2010 NBA All-Star Balloting program presented by T-Mobile, fans worldwide were responsible for voting in the starters for the 59th NBA All-Star Game, which will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio in the U.S., and reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages. The game will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before an expected crowd of more than 80,000 -- the largest group ever to witness a live basketball game -- on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010.
Bryant, the youngest All-Star in NBA history in 1998, is making his 12th appearance and was the All-Star MVP in 2002 and 2007, and co-MVP along with Shaquille O'Neal in 2009. Bryant is joined in the Western Conference starting backcourt by the Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash (1,222,235). The Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony (2,137,560) and the San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan (1,156,696), who is making his 12th appearance and was the co-MVP along with Shaquille O'Neal of the 2000 All-Star Game, are the starting forwards. The Suns' Amar'e Stoudemire starts at center (1,824,093).
In selecting the reserves, the 30 NBA head coaches must vote for seven players within their conference, including two guards, two forwards, a center and two players regardless of position. Coaches are not permitted to vote for players on their team. After the coaches select the reserves, if a player is unable to participate in the All-Star Game, NBA commissioner David Stern will select a replacement. Reserves will be announced Jan. 28, on TNT.
NBA All-Star 2010 in Dallas will bring together some of the most talented and passionate players in the league's history for a global celebration of the game. The week leading up to the 59th NBA All-Star Game will feature a full slate of community-enhancing activities and fan festivals, including NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas and the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam. This will be the second NBA All-Star in Dallas. The city also hosted the event in 1986.
In conjunction with All-Star Balloting, 2K Sports will give fans the opportunity to experience Dallas and the best of basketball by entering the NBA® 2K10 Sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to NBA All-Star 2010 and have their likeness as a digitized player incorporated in next year's game, NBA® 2K11.
