http://www.nba.com/allstar2004/allstar_game/starter_040129.html ALL-STAR STARTERS EASTERN CONFERENCE F - Vince Carter, Toronto F - Jermaine O’Neal, Indiana C - Ben Wallace, Detroit G - Allen Iverson, Philadelphia G - Tracy McGrady, Orlando Coach: Rick Carlisle, Indiana WESTERN CONFERENCE F - Tim Duncan, San Antonio F - Kevin Garnett, Minnesota C - Yao Ming, Houston G - Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers G - Steve Francis, Houston Coach: Flip Saunders, Minnesota ------ NEW YORK, Jan. 29 -- Vince Carter of the Toronto Raptors received the most votes (2,127,183) in the NBA All-Star Balloting program that determines starters for the 2004 NBA All-Star Game. Carter and Hall of Famer Julius Erving both have led the league in voting four times, trailing only Michael Jordan, who set the all-time NBA mark by leading the league nine times. Through the 2004 All-Star NBA Balloting program, NBA fans from around the globe were responsible for voting in the starters for the 53rd NBA All-Star Game which will be played at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 15. A total of 5.3 million ballots were cast, representing more than 40 million player votes, a 16 percent increase from last year’s totals. The 2004 NBA All-Star Game will be telecast live on TNT at 8 p.m. (ET) and broadcast globally to 212 countries through 151 telecasters in 42 languages. Carter is joined in the Eastern Conference starting lineup by Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal (1,629,054) at forward, Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson (1,731,648) and Orlando’s Tracy McGrady (1,231,825) at guard, and Detroit’s Ben Wallace (1,982,251) at center. In the Western Conference, Minnesota forward Kevin Garnett led the conference with 1,780,918 votes. He is joined in the West’s starting lineup by San Antonio’s Tim Duncan (1,681,435) at forward, and the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (1,759,717) and Houston’s Steve Francis (976,841) at guard. In the closest race of this year’s voting, Houston’s Yao Ming (1,484,531) narrowly edged the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal (1,453,286) for the West's starting center position. While O’Neal received more electronic votes from fans around the world, Yao defeated O’Neal by outpacing him on paper ballots that were distributed in-arena, at movie theatres and at retail stores where balloting was available in the United States and Canada. Garnett has been selected to his seventh NBA All-Star Game; Bryant and Duncan to their sixth; Carter and Iverson to their fifth; McGrady his fourth; Francis and O’Neal to their third; and Wallace and Yao will be making their second appearance. The 29 head coaches will vote for the remaining members of the All-Star teams in their respective conferences, and their selections will be announced on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Coaches must vote for seven players in order of preference but are not allowed to vote for players from their team. The selections must include two guards, two forwards and a center. Two other players are chosen regardless of position. Also, if any player cannot participate in the All-Star Game, NBA Commissioner David Stern will select a replacement after the coaches select reserves. Rick Carlisle of the Indiana Pacers will coach the Eastern Conference All-Stars and Flip Saunders of the Minnesota Timberwolves will be on the sideline representing the Western Conference. Head coaches for the East and West All-Star teams are based on the teams with the best winning percentage in each conference following the Sunday games played two weeks prior to the All-Star Game. Both Indiana and Minnesota clinched the best winning percentage prior to Feb. 1. For the second year in a row, NBA All-Stars will wear uniforms created just for the game. Last year, NBA All-Stars wore “Retro” uniforms from the 1988 All-Star Game, but this year the All-Stars will be outfitted in newly designed uniforms from Reebok – created specifically for the 2004 NBA All-Star Game. NBA.com will provide basketball fans with the opportunity to have their vote count toward selecting the MVP of the 53rd NBA All-Star Game, as a part of the site's exclusive NBA All-Star 2004 coverage. Through the 2004 NBA All-Star Balloting program, which ran from Nov. 13, 2003 through Jan. 18, 2004, fans had the opportunity to vote in more ways than ever. NBA All-Star Balloting expanded this season to include 17 languages on the NBA.com Network, downloadable ballots via Verizon Wireless and voting at Loews Cineplex Entertainment movie theaters along with Foot Locker, Circuit City and Champs Sports locations throughout the United States. Sprite, America Online, Champs Sports, Reebok and 989 Sports also returned as balloting partners this year. These outlets were in addition to ballots that were distributed in all 28 NBA arenas. The balloting partners provided links to the NBA.com All-Star Ballot from their home pages. In addition to TNT’s coverage, Rogers Sportsnet will broadcast live from STAPLES Center as will ESPN Radio at 8 p.m. (ET). The NBA All-Star Game will also be available in several languages on NBA.com. NBA All-Star 2004 is a weeklong celebration that enables fans to experience the thrill of the world’s greatest athletes playing the game they love and features a full slate of community enhancing activities and fan festivals.
Note, however, that Yao won because of the paper balloting - he actually lost on the online balloting. Once again, no one can say that China won the spot for Yao - it was entirely domestic.
Does anybody else think the NBA is trying to "spin" the paper-balloting/online votes story? I mean, if what they're saying is true, why not just give us the numbers for the breakdown of paper vs. online votes. Better yet, just release how many votes actually came from China. The way they're portraying it, its almost as if China is helping him, but the NBA is going out of its way to say they aren't... without providing any evidence of this, when it would be very easy to do it. Regardless... Yao deserves to start over Shaq anyways. If he hadn't won the fan vote, THEN there would be controversy. I hope what's happening w/ the Lakers doesn't happen w/ the Astros (Malone is now gonna be out till March).
God, I'm going to get flamed for this, but this player might deserve it more than Yao: http://www.nba.com/playerfile/brad_miller/index.html?nav=page Where would the Kings be without this guy. Raven
Please go to orginal link see the breakdown of paper vs. online votes: TOP 10 OVERALL VOTE-GETTERS ONLINE PAPER TOTAL Vince Carter (Toronto) 1,857,320 269,863 2,127,183 Ben Wallace (Detroit) 1,718,133 264,118 1,982,251 Kevin Garnett (Minnesota) 1,526,467 254,451 1,780,918 Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers) 1,541,100 218,617 1,759,717 Allen Iverson (Philadelphia) 1,516,724 214,924 1,731,648 Tim Duncan (San Antonio) 1,350,066 331,369 1,681,435 Jermaine O¡¯Neal (Indiana) 1,401,331 227,723 1,629,054 Yao Ming (Houston) 1,241,347 243,184 1,484,531 Shaquille O'Neal (L.A. Lakers) 1,245,728 207,558 1,453,286 Tracy McGrady (Orlando) 1,096,578 135,247 1,231,825
TOP 10 OVERALL VOTE-GETTERS/ ONLINE/ PAPER/ TOTAL Vince Carter (Toronto) 1,857,320/ 269,863/ 2,127,183 Ben Wallace (Detroit) 1,718,133/ 264,118/ 1,982,251 Kevin Garnett (Minnesota) 1,526,467/ 254,451/ 1,780,918 Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers) 1,541,100/ 218,617/ 1,759,717 Allen Iverson (Philadelphia) 1,516,724/ 214,924/ 1,731,648 Tim Duncan (San Antonio) 1,350,066/ 331,369/ 1,681,435 Jermaine O’Neal (Indiana) 1,401,331/ 227,723/ 1,629,054 Yao Ming (Houston) 1,241,347/ 243,184/ 1,484,531 Shaquille O'Neal (L.A. Lakers) 1,245,728/ 207,558/ 1,453,286 Tracy McGrady (Orlando) 1,096,578/ 135,247/ 1,231,825 They did post the breakdown of online and paper ballots.
No doubt Miller has been big filling in for Webber (tho I would still argue it has been Peja's play that has made up for Webber being out). But Miller has been starting at PF and backing up Divac at C... hard to say he is desrving to start over Yao at C...
Ben Wallace getting more votes than anyone (but Vince)? Wow I guess there still are a few people around who appreciate a hard working player who doesn't make the ESPN dunking highlights every night, but instead plays defense and rebounds. The NBA needs more players like Ben Wallace.
Thanks... obviously, I didn't read the page carefully enough. I don't understand what Charles in smokin... he's always been against players starting because of their, "Reputation." If you're against Steve starting this year, you better also be against Shaq. They're both making the team based on reputation, although Shaq has had injury as an excuse, and Francis has just been god-awful. Since Flip is coaching this year, will he either a.)play "his" guy, Sam Cassell more, or b.) play his competition (steve and Yao) more and tire them out a little.
It amazes me that Yao beat Shaq in the paper ballot department. I did not know that the Chinese paper ballot voters were this strong (since many say Yao gets on the starting line-up mainly because of his Chinese fans). Are these paper ballots distributed outside the USA? It just does not make sense. Is it a conspiracy by the NBA? Oh well Yao is a Rocket - and I am happy.
Paper ballots were only distributed in US and Canada. Well, it can be all the online votes Yao got all from China, Shaq's all from US. Yao got more US paper votes than Shaq, but less the total America votes.
