Denton: Howard Still Leads All Centers After Fourth Returns
By John Denton
January 7, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – Orlando center Dwight Howard has widened his lead over Cleveland’s Shaquille O’Neal to more than 1 million votes in the balloting for the NBA All-star Game and the Magic star is likely a lock to make his fourth consecutive appearance in the game.
The fourth returns of the all-star voting were released on Thursday and they showed Howard ranking fourth overall among NBA stars with 1,681,8971 votes. He is the leading vote-getter among all centers and trails only Kobe Bryant (1,793,782), LeBron James (1,769,287) and Dwyane Wade (1,719,359) overall. Howard set an all-time all-star voting record last season by collecting 3.1 million votes.
The 2010 NBA All-Star Game will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before what could be the largest crowd ever to witness a live basketball game (80,000).
Paper balloting for the all-stars ends Jan. 10, while fans can vote online until Jan. 18. The starters will be announced on Jan. 21, while the reserves will be announced on Jan. 28.
Howard, who had 20 points and 12 rebounds on Wednesday against Toronto, ranks first in the NBA in rebounds (13.3) and blocked shots (2.46). The NBA’s reigning Defensive Player of Year became just the fifth player in NBA history to lead the league in both categories last season. He is trying to become the first player ever to lead the league in both categories in consecutive seasons.
Howard has a comfortable lead over O’Neal (609,486) in the voting among Eastern Conference centers. Howard’s Magic (24-11) face the Wizards in Washington on Friday and return home to host the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
Orlando star guard Vince Carter, who has received 745,581 votes, ranks third among Eastern Conference guards, trailing Allen Iverson (930,713 votes) and Wade.
Kevin Garnett (1,467,365 votes) and James lead Eastern Conference forwards in voting.
Strangely, Tracy McGrady (746,625 votes) is second among Western Conference guards in voting despite playing just six games. He has a narrow lead over Phoenix point guard Steve Nash (744,250 votes). Carmelo Anthony (1,568,259 votes) and Dirk Nowitzki (826,130 votes) are the leaders at forward in the West, while Amare Stoudemire (1,304,470 votes) is tops among West centers.
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
By John DentonJanuary 7, 2010
Note: The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic. All opinions expressed by John Denton are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Orlando Magic or their Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Magic and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
ORLANDO – Orlando center Dwight Howard has widened his lead over Cleveland’s Shaquille O’Neal to more than 1 million votes in the balloting for the NBA All-star Game and the Magic star is likely a lock to make his fourth consecutive appearance in the game.
The fourth returns of the all-star voting were released on Thursday and they showed Howard ranking fourth overall among NBA stars with 1,681,8971 votes. He is the leading vote-getter among all centers and trails only Kobe Bryant (1,793,782), LeBron James (1,769,287) and Dwyane Wade (1,719,359) overall. Howard set an all-time all-star voting record last season by collecting 3.1 million votes.
The 2010 NBA All-Star Game will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before what could be the largest crowd ever to witness a live basketball game (80,000).
Paper balloting for the all-stars ends Jan. 10, while fans can vote online until Jan. 18. The starters will be announced on Jan. 21, while the reserves will be announced on Jan. 28.
Howard, who had 20 points and 12 rebounds on Wednesday against Toronto, ranks first in the NBA in rebounds (13.3) and blocked shots (2.46). The NBA’s reigning Defensive Player of Year became just the fifth player in NBA history to lead the league in both categories last season. He is trying to become the first player ever to lead the league in both categories in consecutive seasons.
Howard has a comfortable lead over O’Neal (609,486) in the voting among Eastern Conference centers. Howard’s Magic (24-11) face the Wizards in Washington on Friday and return home to host the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
Orlando star guard Vince Carter, who has received 745,581 votes, ranks third among Eastern Conference guards, trailing Allen Iverson (930,713 votes) and Wade.
Kevin Garnett (1,467,365 votes) and James lead Eastern Conference forwards in voting.
Strangely, Tracy McGrady (746,625 votes) is second among Western Conference guards in voting despite playing just six games. He has a narrow lead over Phoenix point guard Steve Nash (744,250 votes). Carmelo Anthony (1,568,259 votes) and Dirk Nowitzki (826,130 votes) are the leaders at forward in the West, while Amare Stoudemire (1,304,470 votes) is tops among West centers.
John Denton writes for Orlandomagic.com. His Orlando Magic ``Behind the Scenes’’ segment can be heard on ESPN 1080 AM on Thursday at 5:05 p.m. Submit questions to John for his ``Ask J.D.’’ mailbag feature that will appear every Friday at AskJD@orlandomagic.com.
