Familiar faces, eyebrow-raising candidates, and tough choices — these are some of the storylines that surround the first returns.
First, let’s lay down how this whole process works. The fans account for 50% of the vote in deciding who will be the All-Star Game starters. The NBA players also have a say, accounting for 25% of the voting. Then, the final 25-percent portion goes to credentialed media members.
With that said, here’s what the first returns of the fan voting looks like.
The usual suspects are in
LeBron James and Kevin Durant lead their conferences with 3,168,694 and 3,118,545 votes, respectively. If the trend continues, King James and KD will serve as All-Star Team Captains for the third straight season.
Despite the LA Lakers sitting at the 12th spot in the West, the fans seem to love what LeBron has been doing in year 20 as he’s averaged 29 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists in 29 games.
Kevin Durant has been excellent for the Brooklyn Nets, leading them to the second-best record in the East at 25-13 while notching 29.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists a night. KD and his team really make for one of the best stories in the NBA considering their tumultuous start to the season.
Names like Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic are also rightfully included — garnering more than two million votes each — as they are among the favorites to win the regular season MVP trophy.
Fan voting is still wonky
It’s quite head-scratching to see role players, particularly Austin Reaves of the Lakers and Warriors center Kevon Looney, get more votes than guys who have produced way better numbers like Jordan Poole, Darius Garland and Devin Booker (yep, Looney edged out D-Book).
Lastly, it’s worth pointing out that Andrew Wiggins has a good chance to be an all-star starter for the second straight year if we’re solely talking about fan votes. Despite already missing 17 games this season, the Warriors swingman still received 1,123,898 votes — good for fifth among frontcourt players in the West. Yes he’s averaging 19.1 points and 5.1 boards per contest, but he’s been injured and his squad is struggling.
There are only so many spots
Basing on the first returns, the league-leading Boston Celtics will not have a single starter on the All-Star Game. Yes, not even MVP candidate Jayson Tatum, who's edged out in the Eastern Conference frontcourt voting by Durant, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Sixers star Joel Embiid. However, all those players deserve to start. Players and media have an unenviable task of casting votes and deciding this matter.
Out West, Domas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox have been leading the Beam Team of Sacramento to what could potentially be a season that will finally end their 16-year playoff drought (longest in the NBA). Not that they should replace the likes of James, Jokic, Curry, or Doncic, but they did not even make it to the Top 10.
Still, don’t get us wrong. We’re not complaining at all. The fan votes are meant to be fun, anyway. Plus, we’re pretty sure the input of the NBA players and designated media panel will balance everything out.
The next fan vote update will be out on January 12.