SB Nation Arizona - Steve Nash Fourth In NBA All-Star Voting First Returns, Once Again Issues Arisehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2010-12-16T12:29:57-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16443202010-12-16T12:29:57-07:002010-12-16T12:29:57-07:00Steve Nash Fourth In NBA All-Star Voting First Returns, Once Again Issues Arise
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<p>The NBA has released the first returns for the 2011 All-Star voting with some predictable names leading the charge and some predictable issues with results again this year. <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phoenix Suns</a> guard <span>Steve Nash</span> is the only local player to show up on the list so far. Nash is fourth in voting among all Western Conference Guards behind <span>Kobe Bryant</span>, <span>Chris Paul</span> and <span>Manu Ginobili</span>. Kobe leads the NBA in total All-Star votes received.</p>
<p>It's hard to argue with those guard returns so far. The guys Nash is behind are playing great and, in fact, fans from Utah and Oklahoma have reason to gripe that <span>Deron Williams</span> and Russell Westbrook trail the Suns point guard.</p>
<p>Even with <span>Amare Stoudemire</span> now in the Eastern Conference, the forward position continues to be packed full of worthy All-Star candidates. <span>Kevin Durant</span> leads the way, followed by <span>Pau Gasol</span>, <span>Carmelo Anthony</span>, <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> and then <span>Tim Duncan</span>. That's a pretty strong list of players.</p>
<p>This is why the Suns were always happy to see Stoudemire listed as a center on the ballot, where the competition is less fierce. Interestingly enough, Amare is considered a forward this season for the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks,</a> despite playing most of his time at the pivot. This is the problem with an NBA All-Star ballot, which is set before the season even starts.</p>
<p>Yet another perennial All-Star voting issue is the overwhelming number of Chinese fans voting for <span>Yao Ming</span>. Ming has barely played this season and yet is the top vote-getter among centers in the West. Although the same can be said for <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a> fans that gave <span>Andrew Bynum</span> enough votes to be second despite having not played a single game until this week.</p>
<p>The lack of depth and poor voting continues as the Maverick's <span>Brendan Haywood</span> comes in third despite not even starting on his own team. Perhaps the best center in the West is <span>Marc Gasol</span> (fourth in voting), but he plays in obscurity in Memphis, so doesn't garner the votes he deserves.</p>
<p>Below is the full voting results for the first returns for both conferences.</p>
<p align="center"><b><u>2011 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING</u></b> <br><b><u>WESTERN CONFERENCE</u></b></p>
<p><br><b>Forwards:</b> Kevin Durant (OKC) 470,881; Pau Gasol (LAL) 390,808; Carmelo Anthony (Den) 369,768; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 264,301; Tim Duncan (SA) 247,364; <span>Blake Griffin</span> (LAC) 245,167; <span>Lamar Odom</span> (LAL) 134,594; <span>Luis Scola</span> (Hou) 119,901; <span>Caron Butler</span> (Dal) 96,785; <span>Kevin Love</span> (Min) 81,865. <br><br><b>Guards:</b> Kobe Bryant (LAL) 722,682; Chris Paul (NO) 386,649; Manu Ginobili (SA) 230,137; <b>Steve Nash (Pho) 190,226</b>; Deron Williams (Utah) 184,148; <span>Jason Kidd</span> (Dal) 141,283; <span>Russell Westbrook</span> (OKC) 140,519; <span>Eric Gordon</span> (LAC) 113,510; <span>Tony Parker</span> (SA) 103,238, <span>Derek Fisher</span> (LAL) 81,088. <br><br><b>Centers:</b> Yao Ming (Hou) 430,984; Andrew Bynum (LAL) 198,044; Brendan Haywood (Dal) 127,375; Marc Gasol (Mem) 120,811; <span>Emeka Okafor</span> (NOH) 115,647; Nene (Den) 105,747; <span>Chris Kaman</span> (LAC) 87,536; <span>Marcus Camby</span> (Por) 57,046; <span>DeMarcus Cousins</span> (Sac) 37,571; <span>Andris Biedrins</span> (GS) 36,655</p>
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<p align="center"><b><u>2011 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING</u></b> <br><b><u>EASTERN CONFERENCE</u></b></p>
<p><br><b>Forwards:</b> <span>LeBron James</span> (Mia) 607,994; <span>Kevin Garnett</span> (Bos) 456,111; Amar'e Stoudemire (NYK) 327,626 <span>Paul Pierce</span> (Bos) 235,107; <span>Chris Bosh</span> (Mia) 161,801; <span>Josh Smith</span> (Atl) 104,713; <span>Carlos Boozer</span> (Chi) 82,655; <span>Andre Iguodala</span> (Phi) 71,517; <span>Danny Granger</span> (Ind) 66,759; <span>Luol Deng</span> (Chi) 52,398. <br><br><b>Guards:</b> <span>Dwyane Wade</span> (Mia) 570,489; <span>Rajon Rondo</span> (Bos) 497,141; <span>Derrick Rose</span> (Chi) 424,356; <span>Ray Allen</span> (Bos) 235,977; <span>John Wall</span> (Was) 120,284; <span>Vince Carter</span> (Orl) 117,628; <span>Gilbert Arenas</span> (Was) 88,599; <span>Brandon Jennings</span> (Mil) 65,705; <span>Joe Johnson</span> (Atl) 46,811; <span>Jamal Crawford</span> (Atl) 31,524. <br>. <br><b>Centers:</b> <span>Dwight Howard</span> (Orl) 611,561; Shaquille O'Neal (Bos) 241,782; <span>Joakim Noah</span> (Chi) 97,163; <span>Andrea Bargnani</span> (Tor) 53,275; <span>Al Horford</span> (Atl) 49,098; <span>Andrew Bogut</span> (Mil) 48,298; <span>Brook Lopez</span> (NJ) 38,103; <span>JaVale McGee</span> (Was) 36,227; <span>Roy Hibbert</span> (Ind) 35,006; <span>Ben Wallace</span> (Det) 21,858.</p>
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<p>This play probably isn't going to help Nash get any more All-Star votes ... but it should.</p>
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https://arizona.sbnation.com/2010/12/16/2326472/steve-nash-fourth-in-nba-all-star-voting-first-returns-once-againSeth Pollack