Lakers F Bryant leads NBA All-Star balloting

The Sports Xchange

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers leads in voting as the NBA announced an update to All-Star balloting on Thursday.

Dec 28, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) waves to the fans after leaving the game late in the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets won 108-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) waves to the fans after leaving the game late in the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets won 108-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Bryant, who is retiring after the season, has 1,262,118 votes – more than 300,000 ahead of reigning MVP Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James has the third-most votes – and leads the Eastern Conference with 636,388 votes.

James, Indiana’s Paul George (457,554) and Detroit’s Andre Drummond (261,158) lead the frontcourt voting in the East with New York forward Carmelo Anthony (255,536) next in line. Miami’s Dwyane Wade (562,558) and Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving (271,094) are the leaders among guards with Toronto’s Kyle Lowry (242,276) in close pursuit.

Bryant, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant (616,096) and Golden State’s Draymond Green (332,223) are the leaders in frontcourt votes in the Western Conference with San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard (330,929) right behind Green. Curry (925,789) and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook (479,512) are the top vote-getters among guards.

Voting concludes on Jan. 18. The All-Star Game is Feb. 14 in Toronto.