Bryant, James remain top in third returns of NBA all-star balloting

Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant  Retiring Los Angeles Lakers' legend Kobe Bryant and the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James continue to lead their respective conferences after the third returns of the 2016 NBA all-star balloting were announced Thursday by the league. Bryant, who plans to call it quits at the end of this season - his 20th - tops all players with 1,533,432 votes for the league's 65th mid-season showcase to be played February 14 in Toronto. The 17-time all-star would be joined in the West starting frontcourt by the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant with 774,782 votes and Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green with 499,947. Reigning league MVP Stephen Curry of the Warriors with 1,206,467 votes - second behind Bryant - and Thunder's Russell Westbrook with 609,901 would be paired in the back court. "King" James, seeking his 12th all-star in 13 seasons, heads the East with 830,345 votes. He would be joined up front by Indiana Pacers' Paul George with 569,947 votes and New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony with 368,336 votes, who has moved past Detroit Pistons' Andre Drummond by 7,029 votes. Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade and Cavaliers' Kyle Lowry remain the leading vote-getters in the East backcourt with 736,732 votes and 399,757 respectively.

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