NBA.com reports that the NBA has released its fourth and final All-Star voting returns before January 24, where the starters will officially be announced, and Boston's Kevin Garnett remains the leading vote-getter. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><u>2008 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING EASTERN CONFERENCE</u> Forwards: Kevin Garnett (Bos) 1,756,251; LeBron James (Clev) 1,564,974; Chris Bosh (Tor) 516,669; Paul Pierce (Bos) 411,231; Yi Jianlian (Mil) 342,669; Caron Butler (Was) 213,924; Hedo Turkoglu (Orl) 196,362; Tayshaun Prince (Det) 178,122; Andrea Bargnani (Tor) 168,287; Josh Smith (Atl) 163,384 Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 1,179,889; Jason Kidd (NJ) 868,069; Ray Allen (Bos) 733,440; Vince Carter (NJ) 708,409; Gilbert Arenas (Was) 585,345; Chauncey Billups (Det) 402,787; Michael Redd (Mil) 247,384; Richard Hamilton (Det) 193,618; Joe Johnson (Atl) 171,500; T.J. Ford (Tor) 164,342. Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 1,456,898; Shaquille O'Neal (Mia) 701,253; Rasheed Wallace (Det) 190,684; Ben Wallace (Chi) 172,147; Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Cle) 163,518; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 156,012; Jermaine O'Neal (Ind) 143,026; Emeka Okafor (Cha) 85,340; Zaza Pachulia (Atl) 66,705; Eddy Curry (NY) 64,896. <u>2008 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING WESTERN CONFERENCE</u> Forwards: Tim Duncan (SA) 1,246,125; Carmelo Anthony (Den) 1,218,106; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 946,421; Carlos Boozer (Utah) 402,917; Shawn Marion (Pho) 345,400; Shane Battier (Hou) 341,621; Josh Howard (Dal) 324,267; Luis Scola (Hou) 309,994; Kevin Durant (Sea) 299,481; Grant Hill (Pho) 248,273. Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 1,441,333; Tracy McGrady (Hou) 907,639; Allen Iverson (Den) 827,273; Steve Nash (Pho) 808,995; Manu Ginobili (SA) 418,442; Tony Parker (SA) 374,340; Chris Paul (NO) 330,902; Baron Davis (GS) 298,827; Jason Terry (Dal) 241,839; Jerry Stackhouse (Dal) 212,320. Centers: Yao Ming (Hou) 1,255,263; Amaré Stoudemire (Pho) 685,772; Marcus Camby (Den) 265,830; Erick Dampier (Dal) 207,354; Pau Gasol (Mem) 154,741; Tyson Chandler (NO) 135,388; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 132,310; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 117,508; Andris Biedrins (GS) 98,460; Chris Kaman (LAC) 97,569.</div> Nothing has changed. It looks as though starters will be: Eastern Conference C: Dwight Howard (ORL) F: Kevin Garnett (BOS) F: LeBron James (CLE) G: Dwyane Wade (MIA) G: Jason Kidd (NJ) Western Conference C: Yao Ming (HOU) F: Tim Duncan (SA) F: Carmelo Anthony (DEN) G: Tracy McGrady (HOU) G: Kobe Bryant (LAL) One has to wonder why Chris Paul, who is undoubtedly one of the top MVP candidates thus far, hasn't gotten the respect from the fans he deserves. There is no question that the coaches will put "CP3" in the game, especially with it being in New Orleans, but you've got to wonder what is wrong with fans across the nation. Granted, he doesn't have all of China behind him as Tracy McGrady does, but there is no excuse for Paul to be just seventh in Western Conference guards. In any event, there is only ten days of All-Star voting remaining. Get you're last votes in, folks!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Jan 10 2008, 03:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>One has to wonder why Chris Paul, who is undoubtedly one of the top MVP candidates thus far, hasn't gotten the respect from the fans he deserves. There is no question that the coaches will put "CP3" in the game, especially with it being in New Orleans, but you've got to wonder what is wrong with fans across the nation. Granted, he doesn't have all of China behind him as Tracy McGrady does, but there is no excuse for Paul to be just seventh in Western Conference guards.</div> Lack of national television exposure, I'd say. The Hornets will be on ESPN tomorrow, but other than that, I don't think Paul has gotten any TV time. Same with Tyson Chandler.
Paul plays in a small market and doesn't get the exposure that Nash and Parker does. So, despite his great stats and the great start his team is off to, he doesn't get the attention from the casual fan.
The vast majority of people that vote for this don't vote for the best teams, instead they vote for their favorite players or the players on their favorite team. It has nothing to do with respect.
