It's looking increasingly like we're headed to repeat All-Star captains.
LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo remain the leaders in their respective conferences in the latest All-Star fan voting returns, less than one week ahead of voting ending Jan. 20. James leads all vote-getters with 4,747,887 votes and has expanded his lead over Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, who led initial Western Conference returns.
Antetokounmpo's 4,474,107 votes are nearly double that of any other Eastern Conference player. Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam is second in the East with 2,433,411 votes.
James and Antetokounmpo were captains of last year's All-Star team, with Team LeBron earning a 178-164 victory over Team Giannis. This would be the third straight year LeBron has served as a captain; his team defeated Stephen Curry's drafted bunch 148-145 in 2018.
Western Conference All-Star Fan Voting
Frontcourt
1. LeBron James (LAL) 4,747,887
2. Anthony Davis (LAL) 4,412,619
3. Kawhi Leonard (LAC) 2,973,076
4. Paul George (LAC) 1,171,616
5. Nikola Jokic (DEN) 889,387
Backcourt
1. Luka Doncic (DAL) 4,598,323
2. James Harden (HOU) 2,934,614
3. Damian Lillard (POR) 984,140
4. Alex Caruso (LAL) 894,827
5. Stephen Curry (GSW) 837,187
Eastern Conference All-Star Fan Voting
Frontcourt
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 4,474,107
2. Pascal Siakam (TOR) 2,433,411
3. Joel Embiid (PHI) 2,398,743
4. Jimmy Butler (MIA) 2,046,257
5. Jayson Tatum (BOS) 1,622,635
Backcourt
1. Trae Young (ATL) 2,066,924
2. Kyrie Irving (BKN) 1,814,618
3. Kemba Walker (BOS) 1,797,633
4. Derrick Rose (DET) 1,381,934
5. Kyle Lowry (TOR) 848,293
For the most part, the voting remains unchanged from last week. Kyrie Irving is the lone starter as voted by fans who is unlikely to actually start. He's been limited to 14 games played this season due to a shoulder injury and probably won't get the necessary votes from his fellow players and media members necessary to make the roster.
Kemba Walker, who has led the Celtics to a 27-12 record heading into Thursday night, seems like a lock for the Eastern Conference's second backcourt spot. It's also possible he overtakes Irving in the fan voting between now and Monday.
Lakers cult hero (and guard) Alex Caruso continued his ascent up the fan voting and sits fourth among Western Conference backcourt players. Even if Lakers fans stuff the ballot box between now and Monday, this will probably merely be a fun story. Caruso is unlikely to get into the game once player and media votes are accounted for.
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