The NBA released an early set of 2011 All-Star Game voting results on Friday afternoon. The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant leads the entire voting with 722,682 ballots. The Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard has the second most votes (611,561) and the Miami Heat's LeBron James is third (607,994).
The Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant (470,881) leads Western Conference forwards and the Lakers' Pau Gasol comes in second (390,808). The Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony (369,768) is currently in third among forwards. The Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki comes in fourth, but he has about 105,000 fewer votes than Carmelo at this point. Melo has three NBA All-Star Game appearances.
The Nuggets' Chauncey Billups and Nene appear on the ballot, but only Nene apears (105,747 votes). Billups has appeared in the last five All-Star Games, but may be watching this one at home.
The Staples Center, home to the Lakers and the Clippers, will host the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 2011. TNT will have the tip-off at 6 p.m. MT.