Yao, Bryant lead league’s All-Star list

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Houston Rockets center Yao Ming and
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant dominated voting to
determine starters for the NBA All-Star Game in Houston on Feb
19, the league said.

China’s Yao was the leading candidate for a second
consecutive year, receiving 2,342,738 votes, the league said in
a news release.

Eight-time All-Star Bryant, who recently scored 81 points
in a game, was his closest rival with 2,271,631 votes.

Miami Heat center Shaquille O’Neal was selected for a 13th
consecutive All-Star team, garnering 2,192,542 votes. Jerry
West of the Lakers and Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz hold the
record of 14.

NBA fans around the world participated in the voting for
the NBA’s 55th All-Star Game.

Joining Yao in the Western Conference frontcourt will be
forwards Tracy McGrady of the Rockets (1,818,932 votes) and Tim
Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs (1,518,796). The guards will be
Bryant and Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns (1,818,230).

Forward LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers led all
Eastern Conference players with 2,207,697 votes. He will be
joined in the frontcourt by O’Neal and Indiana Pacers forward
Jermaine O’Neal (1,291,836). Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia
76ers (2,062,206) and the Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade (1,499,664)
will start at the guards.

Flip Saunders and the Detroit Pistons coaching staff will
coach the Eastern Conference All-Stars and Avery Johnson and
his staff will lead the Western Conference All-Stars.