ALL-STAR VOTES: So Far, Kobe (& T-Mac?) Leads — Gasol & Bynum, Not So Much

by Josh Tucker on Dec 10, 2009 12:53 PM PST in Editorial Comment 86 comments

The first round of All-Star Voting Results is in, and Kobe Bryant is leading all vote-getters in both conferences. Dwyane Wade is next, followed by LeBron James and Dwight Howard. Not all that surprising, of course — but click the jump for the more interesting bits...

For those of you looking for 2-3 Lakers in the All-Star game — well, you may get your wish, but if early returns are any indication, it may be up to the coaches (who pick the reserves) to make it happen. So far, Andrew Bynum trails Amare Stoudemire at the center position by nearly 150,000 votes. Meanwhile, Pau Gasol is about 86,000 votes behind Dirk Nowitzki for the second starting forward slot in the West (remember, the fans pick the starters, which means two guards, two forwards, and a center).

Pau's absence from the first 11 games of the season may have something to do with why he's 308,000 behind Carmelo Anthony and 86,000 behind Nowitzki — then again, Tracy McGrady is currently the second starting guard for the West, despite not playing a single game, edging out several other deserving West guards who have, you know, actually played this year ... like Steve Nash (by 9,000 votes), Chris Paul (by 33,000), Jason Kidd (by 74,000), and Chauncey Billups (by 150,000).

Thank you, China!

Hat tip: Gils

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WTF?

T Mac? If Tmac gets voted then Ariza better be in there to.

Does that mean Yao ming is getting voted in to? What a joke!

"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess" - Kobe

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Dec 10, 2009 1:14 PM PST reply actions

T-MAC has got to give that spot up if he is second

Right?

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on Dec 10, 2009 1:33 PM PST up reply actions

hell yeah!

I think Houston fans might be frustrated that he isn’t playing when he keeps insisting that he can. those have got to be Yao Ming votes. No doubt!

"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess" - Kobe

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Dec 10, 2009 1:38 PM PST up reply actions

don't we get to vote by positions this year?

that means the yao ming votes would go to another center…

by Nostance on Dec 10, 2009 4:31 PM PST up reply actions

Just because Yao’s not on the ballot doesn’t mean they can’t vote for everyone else that plays for the Rockets as compensation.

by intuitive on Dec 10, 2009 5:51 PM PST up reply actions

yeah

I meant that Yao fans are still Houston fans and since he isn’t going to play a lot of them are deciding on Tmac. Sucks because Ariza deserves it.

"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess" - Kobe

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Dec 10, 2009 5:55 PM PST up reply actions

what i meant was

t-mac would’ve probably got his votes anyways because you can vote one for each position. ie, you can’t use your center vote to sub for your guard vote.

speaking of which, i thought t-mac was an SF…

by Nostance on Dec 10, 2009 7:15 PM PST up reply actions

good point

btw on tmac being a SF I thought Duncan was a Center/PF/Pg/Sg of whatever is more convenient to get him into the NBA. Which makes me wonder, who decides at what position you get placed on the ballot?

"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess" - Kobe

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Dec 10, 2009 8:38 PM PST up reply actions

Yao plays for the Houston Rockets. Therefore China’s favorite team is the Rockets hence why Tracy leads in votes, and Ariza and Brooks are high up there. (higher than they should be)

by intuitive on Dec 10, 2009 5:51 PM PST up reply actions

but tracy was under the guard's category

and we all know who China’s favorite “guard” is. Hint: he sells the most jerseys.

so before you decide to blame the chinese for Tracy, don’t forget more of them probably also voted for kobe ;p

by Nostance on Dec 10, 2009 7:12 PM PST up reply actions

Just because they vote for Kobe doesn’t mean they can’t vote for T-Mac as well…

And I didn’t blame the people in China voting for Tracy. I was simply providing a probably explanation for why he was leading in votes.

by intuitive on Dec 10, 2009 8:19 PM PST up reply actions

That should read “a probable* explanation”

by intuitive on Dec 10, 2009 8:20 PM PST up reply actions

A nice word about Kobe from Yao:

“Kobe’s heart is as strong as his muscles.”

Lakers 2009 Road to Redemption: TREVOR, DEREK, LAMAR, PAU & KOBE.
Play the game of which Lakers reminds you of: TA - TI, Shannon Brown - Chris Brown, Pau Gasol - Jesus, Machine - Luis Scola/Russell Brand, PJ with mustache and beard - Colonel Sanders.

by PeanutButterSpread on Dec 10, 2009 1:18 PM PST reply actions

lol. Yao is the new "Zen" master.

by Nostance on Dec 10, 2009 8:13 PM PST up reply actions

correction

he would be the “chan” master since he’s chinese :p

by Nostance on Dec 10, 2009 8:13 PM PST up reply actions

it's the darn chinese!

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

by Justin N. on Dec 10, 2009 1:19 PM PST reply actions

quite blaming my people for everything :p

one-legged t-mac won the SF position last year, too…

by Nostance on Dec 10, 2009 5:12 PM PST up reply actions

Shannon Brown in All Star Weekend

There is no doubt that David Stern knows how much attraction in terms of ratings the Lakers generate. I doubt that he will miss a golden opportunity like not putting Brown in the dunk contest.

"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess" - Kobe

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Dec 10, 2009 1:22 PM PST reply actions

Couldn't resist not posting this up

saw it over at The Lakers Nation:

"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess" - Kobe

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Dec 10, 2009 1:35 PM PST reply actions

Eh, I think the votes will "correct" themselves as we go along

Same reason T-Mac ended up losing his spot to Paul last year. Nash is only ~9,000 votes back in any case; that’s not a whole lot.

As far as Bynum goes, I don’t see him beating out Stoudemire at this rate, especially with Phoenix’s current record. He’s basically a shoo-in for the reserve center spot, as Duncan is conveniently listed as a forward (or perhaps not conveniently this year) as to not hurt the Spurs’ feelings.

IMO, the West will look something like:

Starters
G — Steve Nash
G — Kobe Bryant
F — Carmelo Anthony
F — Dirk Nowitzki
C — Amar’e Stoudemire

Reserves
G — Chris Paul
G — Brandon Roy
G — Deron Williams
F — Tim Duncan
F — Kevin Durant
F — Pau Gasol
C — Andrew Bynum

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Dec 10, 2009 2:40 PM PST reply actions

Amare listed as Center is so wrong.

Especially when Bynum dominates him anytime they are matched up next to each other. Not to mention Frye usually has the misfortune of having to guard Bynum and I assume most other centers.

by grimmz on Dec 10, 2009 2:44 PM PST up reply actions

I know Golden State plays no D

But anyone out there got love for Monta Ellis as an All-Star? He’s putting up some nice numbers.

"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson

by Gils_Keloids on Dec 10, 2009 3:16 PM PST reply actions

in all categories

including turnovers :)

Monta won me a category in fantasy last week because he alone had 25 turn overs.

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

by Justin N. on Dec 10, 2009 4:16 PM PST up reply actions

Sure

when he decides to slow down on his way to breaking the single season turnover record

by Marty Mart on Dec 10, 2009 4:17 PM PST up reply actions

monte is playing well

but the PG position in the West is WAY too deep. he’d have to beat out the likes of Chris Paul, D-Will, Steve Nash, Tony Parker, etc (at this rate, Tony Parker might not even make the All Stars).

by Nostance on Dec 10, 2009 4:38 PM PST up reply actions

The guard position in the West is deep

And per above, his turnovers are massive.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

by Ben R on Dec 11, 2009 1:29 PM PST up reply actions

T-Mac's place...

…is the result of Chinese voters. Also, this explains what he’s been doing this whole time. I’m pretty sure Trevor is scratching his head right about now.

"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."

"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."

-Kobe Bryant

A mantra for all athletes.

by TrojanRam on Dec 10, 2009 4:34 PM PST via mobile reply actions

Its all these video game kidies

voting for guys like Amare Stoudamire just cuz hes unstoppable in 2K10. Hopefully the coaches vote in the right people

by desecrator09 on Dec 10, 2009 4:36 PM PST reply actions

The NBA really should have just left T-Mac off the list

Didn’t they know the gravity of T-Mac’s injury and the length of time it was going to take for the injury to heal? I remember their were reports, early summer that said T-Mac wouldn’t be able to play during much of the first half of the season, so why on earth would the NBA put T-Mac on there still?

It’s kinda baffling. Hopefully though, other fans start voting for the players that DO deserve to be in the All-Star game.

by PeanutButterSpread on Dec 10, 2009 5:59 PM PST reply actions

yup like

Shannon Brown…j/k. Well he has played than T mac this year.

"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess" - Kobe

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Dec 10, 2009 8:39 PM PST up reply actions

This is really stupid

T-Mac being the second vote getter in the West is just retarded. You voters who voted him are retarded. Bottom line.

by Julio Nievas on Dec 10, 2009 6:51 PM PST reply actions

I think I'll vote for him..

…a vote for Tmac is a vote for the NBA to change this stupid voting system!

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

by Justin N. on Dec 10, 2009 6:59 PM PST up reply actions

Hey guys check this out:

List of Kobe’s Game Winning Shots:

: Lakers 108 – Mavericks 106 (game-winning FTs)

[*] 02/13/00: Lakers 113 – Nets 110 (OT game-winning layup with the and-1)

[*] 05/10/00: Lakers 97 – Phoenix 96 (playoffs, jumper over Jason Kidd)

] *06/14/00: Lakers 120 – Pacers 118 (evenatual g-winner* NBA Finals, off reb and put back)

[*] 11/16/00: Lakers 112 – Kings 110 (OT game-tying 3 pointer for OT, & jumper for win)

[*] 02/07/01: Lakers 85 – Phoenix 83 (jumper with 2.7 sec)

[*] 01/02/02: Lakers 87 – Nuggets 86 (off reb and the jumper)

[*] 02/22/02: Lakers 96 – Hornets 94 (first career buzzer-beater jumper)

[*] 03/24/02: Lakers 97 – Kings 96 (fade-away with 36 sec)

[*] 05/12/02: Lakers 87 – Spurs 85 (playoffs, off reb for the put back)

[*] 12/06/02: Lakers 105 – Mavericks 103 (28-point game comeback, spin-around jumper)

[*] 04/04/03: Lakers 102 – Grizzlies 101 (buzzer beater jumper)

[*] 04/06/03: Lakers 115 – Suns 113 (final jumper with 28.6 sec)

[*] 02/17/04: Lakers 89 – Blazers 86 (layup and the foul)

[*] 02/19/04: Lakers 101 – Nuggets 99 (game after the trial, fade-away)

[*] 03/03/04: Lakers 96 – Rockets 93 (jumper over Yao with 22 sec)

[*] 03/21/04: Lakers 104 – Bucks 103 (OT jumper with 25 sec)

[*] 04/14/04: Lakers 105 – Blazers 104 (OT game-tying 3-pointer then g-winning 3-pt buzzer-beater)

[*] 03/13/05: Lakers 117 – Bobcats 116 (pump fake jumper for the win)

[*] 11/02/05: Lakers 99 – Nuggets 97 (OT jumper after the Kwame brick)

[*] 12/04/05: Lakers 99 – Bobcats 98 (game-winning FTs)

[*] 01/07/06: Lakers 112 – Clippers 109 (game-winning off-the-window shot)

[*] 01/12/06: Lakers 99 – Cavaliers 98 (jumper against Lebron with 8 sec, & Lebron choking)

[*] 04/30/06: Lakers 99 – Suns 98 (OT game-tying tear drop for OT, and game-winning jumper)

[*] 01/14/08: Lakers 123 – Sonics 121 (OT game-winning jumper)

[*] 01/09/09: Lakers 121 – Pacers 119 (jumper against Jarrett Jack with 3 sec)

[*] 12/04/09: Lakers 108 – Heat 107 (game-winning buzzer-beater 3-pointer over Wade)

by desecrator09 on Dec 10, 2009 7:04 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

That first shot occured on 12/27/99

date got cut off

by desecrator09 on Dec 10, 2009 7:05 PM PST up reply actions

he also made the game saving block in game 3 of the 2000 western conference finals
he blocked Sabonis i remember and after the game Scottie Pippen took his anger out on those poor towels cause he wanted the ball i think…
not a game winner but that was a cool play…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5T1b9o8Js4

Leave Chad Billingsley alone!!!

by shaqfor3 on Dec 10, 2009 7:26 PM PST up reply actions

just curious

how did you get that list?

"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess" - Kobe

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Dec 10, 2009 8:40 PM PST up reply actions

denver lost today
expect them to blame the laker fans, chris wallace, refs, stern, or jesus for the loss.

Leave Chad Billingsley alone!!!

by shaqfor3 on Dec 10, 2009 7:20 PM PST reply actions

Whoa, they lost to Detroit?

lol

by desecrator09 on Dec 10, 2009 7:25 PM PST up reply actions

They’ve lost 7 in a row to the Pistons I think

by intuitive on Dec 10, 2009 8:21 PM PST up reply actions

karma for denver "stealing" chauncy? j/k

by Nostance on Dec 10, 2009 9:01 PM PST up reply actions

I already got their blood boiling over there

They started this crap and now they’ll have to deal with the fallout

by wavenstein on Dec 10, 2009 7:28 PM PST up reply actions

haha nice

did they ban you?

by desecrator09 on Dec 10, 2009 7:32 PM PST up reply actions

Nope not yet

but if they keep on talkin, I’ll keep on talkin back

by wavenstein on Dec 10, 2009 8:40 PM PST up reply actions

hehe

i think they banned you
funny comment though

Leave Chad Billingsley alone!!!

by shaqfor3 on Dec 10, 2009 7:33 PM PST up reply actions

oh hell

i’m going over there to now..

"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess" - Kobe

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Dec 10, 2009 8:41 PM PST up reply actions

I didn't know Kobe was on the Nuggets?

Who the hell draws up an isolation play for an aging PG in the final mintues of the game when you have the best clutch shooter in the NBA on your team?

by stephens on Dec 10, 2009 8:52 PM PST up reply actions