INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Kyrie Irving has some flash to his game, was an All-Star last season, and for the most part, has played like one this year.
Fans have taken notice, as Irving led all Eastern Conference point guards in votes for this season’s All-Star Game, per a release from the NBA on Thursday. The All-Star Game is scheduled for Feb. 16 in New Orleans.
With 365,712 votes, Irving is fifth overall in the East behind Miami forward LeBron James (609,336), Indiana forward Paul George (489,335), New York forward Carmelo Anthony (424,211) and Miami guard Dwyane Wade (396,279), respectively.
Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers led all point guards with 393,313 votes.
Fans vote in All-Star Game starters, with NBA coaches selecting the reserves.
Irving is averaging 20.5 points, 6.0 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game. The Cavs (8-13) have won four of five heading into Friday’s game at Orlando.
Double Dribbles
• The Pacers (6-2), Heat (4-0) and Cavs (3-3) are the only East teams that don’t have a losing record vs. teams from the West. The Knicks are 0-7.
• Anthony on the Knicks nearly blowing a 23-point lead at home vs. the Bulls on Wednesday: "If this game would have got away from us, ain't no telling what would have happened."
• The Pelicans expected G/F Tyreke Evans to miss a week or two with sprained ankle. Instead, he didn’t miss a game and scored 14 in Wednesday’s overtime win over the Pistons. Evans admitted after he was in pain, but plans to continue playing.
• After a 3-0 start, reality appears to be setting in for the 76ers. They have lost 11 of 13 and eight in a row on the road.
• Clippers forward Antawn Jamison scored his 20,000 point in Wednesday’s win at Boston. Jamison became of 20 players in NBA history to have 20,000 points with 8,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists.
• In case you missed it, the all-new Small-Time Basketball Report features updates on Elliott Williams, Manny Harris, Jamario Moon, Zeke Marshall and others. You can read it here.
NBA All-Star Balloting
Voting results for the 2014 NBA All-Star Game, released Thursday:
Eastern Conference
Frontcourt
1. LeBron James (Mia) 609,336
2. Paul George (Ind) 489,335
3. Carmelo Anthony (NYK) 424,211
4. Roy Hibbert (Ind) 208,369
5. Chris Bosh (Mia) 156,364
6. Kevin Garnett (BKN) 102,825
7. Joakim Noah (Chi) 75,229
8. Jeff Green (Bos) 55,912
9. Luol Deng (Chi) 54,340
10. Tyson Chandler (NYK) 51,738
11. Andre Drummond (Det) 51,351
12. Carlos Boozer (Chi) 48,745
13. Paul Pierce (BKN) 45,145
14. Brook Lopez (BKN) 37,153
15. Josh Smith (Det) 32,025
Backcourt
1. Dwyane Wade (Mia) 396,279
2. Kyrie Irving (Cle) 365,712
3. Derrick Rose (Chi) 272,410
4. John Wall (Was) 124,851
5. Ray Allen (Mia) 99,464
6. Rajon Rondo (Bos) 80,889
7. Deron Williams (BKN) 44,282
8. George Hill (Ind) 42,536
9. Evan Turner (Phi) 33,605
10. Mario Chalmers (Mia) 32,996
Western Conference
Frontcourt
1. Kevin Durant (OKC) 607,407
2. Dwight Howard (Hou) 295,120
3. Blake Griffin (LAC) 292,925
4. Kevin Love (Min) 275,506
5. Tim Duncan (SA) 217,271
6. Anthony Davis (NO) 149,579
7. Pau Gasol (LAL) 133,199
8. LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 132,818
9. Andre Iguodala (GS) 109,745
10. Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 89,093
11. Chandler Parsons (Hou) 77,179
12. DeMarcus Cousins (Sac) 60,923
13. David Lee (GS) 60,015
14. Kawhi Leonard (SA) 55,023
15. Omer Asik (Hou) 53,827
Backcourt
1. Kobe Bryant (LAL) 501,215
2. Chris Paul (LAC) 393,313
3. Stephen Curry (GS) 327,449
4. Jeremy Lin (Hou) 240,404
5. James Harden (Hou) 198,667
6. Russell Westbrook (OKC) 149,065
7. Tony Parker (SA) 112,423
8. Ricky Rubio (Min) 63,096
9. Steve Nash (LAL) 60,782
10. Damian Lillard (Por) 55,847
Twitter: @SamAmicoFSO
