Howard maintains sizable lead in All-Star voting

The fans have not forgotten Dwight Howard's amazing show at last year's All-Star game. AP

NEW YORK (SI.com) -- The rosters for the 58th NBA All-Star game are beginning to take shape following the third balloting returns.

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant continue to lead the voting for their respective conferences, the league announced Thursday.

The defending slam dunk champion, Howard leads all comers with 1,709,088 votes and is running away with the starting center spot on the Eastern Conference squad.

Cleveland's LeBron James (1,521,272) and Boston's Kevin Garnett (1,101,541) are the top forwards for the East. Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (1,473,225) is tops among Eastern Conference guards.

Bryant (1,534,020), the reigning league MVP, is the clear leader out West. Houston's Tracy McGrady (961,852) will join him in the backcourt if he can hold off New Orleans guard Chris Paul (867,889).

San Antonio's Tim Duncan (1,132,095) is the leading vote-getter among Western Conference forwards. Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire holds a slim lead over Denver's Carmelo Anthony (725,411) for the second starting spot.

Houston's Yao Ming (1,396,126) leads all West centers in votes.

Paper balloting will continue through Jan. 11 with wireless tallies ceasing Jan. 19, three days before the announcement of the starters for both conferences.

The All-Star Game will be played on Feb. 15 in Phoenix.

Eastern Conference

FORWARDS: LeBron James, Cleveland, 1,521,272; Kevin Garnett, Boston, 1,101,541; Yi Jianlian, New Jersey, 959,324; Chris Bosh, Toronto, 601,204; Paul Pierce, Boston, 387,105; Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando, 236,360; Shawn Marion, Miami, 230,119; Danny Granger, Indiana, 155,484; Josh Smith, Atlanta, 131,281; Michael Beasley, Miami, 121,632; Tayshaun Prince, Detroit, 114,869.

GUARDS: Dwyane Wade, Miami, 1,473,225; Allen Iverson, Detroit, 1,027,153; Vince Carter, New Jersey, 708,699; Ray Allen, Boston, 435,945; Devin Harris, New Jersey, 359,442; Gilbert Arenas, Washington, 283,030; Luke Ridnour, Milwaukee, 276,009; Derrick Rose, Chicago, 242,740; Jose Calderon, Toronto, 221,946; Jameer Nelson, Orlando, 198,050; Joe Johnson, Atlanta, 189,343.

CENTERS: Dwight Howard, Orlando, 1,709,088; Samuel Dalembert, Philadelphia, 239,089; Rasheed Wallace, Detroit, 197,785; Jermaine O'Neal, Toronto, 177,121; Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee, 151,043; Al Horford, Atlanta, 140,637; Ben Wallace, Cleveland, 112,014; Emeka Okafor, Charlotte, 100,114; Brendan Haywood, Washington, 89,664; Zyrdrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland, 78,035; Kendrick Perkins, Boston, 68,513.

Western Conference

FORWARDS: Tim Duncan, San Antonio, 1,132,095; Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix, 743,639; Carmelo Anthony, Denver, 725,411; Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas, 673,720; Ron Artest, Houston, 662,510; Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers, 495,835; Bruce Bowen, San Antonio, 375,079; Shane Battier, Houston, 374,413; Luis Scola, Houston, 228,598; Josh Howard, Dallas, 228,157; LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland, 170,056.

GUARDS: Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers, 1,534,020; Tracy McGrady, Houston, 961,852; Chris Paul, New Orleans, 867,889; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio, 500,158; Tony Parker, San Antonio, 459,718; Steve Nash, Phoenix, 345,948; Jason Kidd, Dallas, 331,203; Rafer Alston, Houston, 282,767; Jason Terry, Dallas, 265,521; Brandon Roy, Portland, 210,755; Chauncey Billups, Denver, 205,554.

CENTERS: Yao Ming, Houston, 1,396,126; Shaquille O'Neal, Phoenix, 727,975; Andrew Bynum, L.A. Lakers, 294,381; Mehmet Okur, Utah, 256,902; Greg Oden, Portland, 162,299; Andris Biedrins, Golden State, 129,488; Tyson Chandler, New Orleans, 112,949; Al Jefferson, Minnesota, 100,480; Nick Collison, Oklahoma City, 69,039; Marcus Camby, L.A. Clippers, 57,474; Chris Kaman, L.A. Clippers, 21,814.

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