First Returns-NBA All Star Game:
The people have spoken…. kinda. The 2018 NBA All Star Game has released their first returns on the voting thus far, and it’s fairly distributed throughout the field. Let’s take an instant look at the top 10 vote-getters from each conference:

Eastern Conference

Frontcourt:

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 863,416
2. LeBron James (CLE) 856,080
3. Joel Embiid (PHI) 433,161
4. Kristaps Porzingis (NYK) 359,459
5. Kevin Love (CLE) 221,969
6. Al Horford (BOS) 120,016
7. Jayson Tatum (BOS) 98,586
8. Andre Drummond (DET) 85,374
9. Enes Kanter (NYK) 83,102
10. Dwight Howard (CHA) 57,730

Guards:

1. Kyrie Irving (BOS) 802,834
2. DeMar DeRozan (TOR) 259,368
3. Victor Oladipo (IND) 251,886
4. Ben Simmons (PHI) 210,085
5. John Wall (WAS) 175,990
6. Dwyane Wade (CLE) 165,163
7. Isaiah Thomas (CLE) 87,680
8. Kyle Lowry (TOR) 85,070
9. Bradley Beal (WAS) 71,079
10. Jaylen Brown (BOS) 51,562

Western Conference

Frontcourt:

1. Kevin Durant (GSW) 767,402
2. Anthony Davis (NOP) 393,000
3. DeMarcus Cousins (NOP) 356,340
4. Draymond Green (GSW) 325,612
5. Paul George (OKC) 291,495
6. Kawhi Leonard (SAS) 212,650
7. Carmelo Anthony (OKC) 194,239
8. Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) 188,240
9. Kyle Kuzma (LAL) 184,338
10. LaMarcus Aldridge (SAS) 153,599

Guards:

1. Stephen Curry (GSW) 735,115
2. James Harden (HOU) 602,040
3. Russell Westbrook (OKC) 438,469
4. Klay Thompson (GSW) 359,442
5. Manu Ginobili (SAS) 231,460
6. Chris Paul (HOU) 174,343
7. Damian Lillard (POR) 148,622
8. Lonzo Ball (LAL) 120,817
9. Devin Booker (PHO) 91,562
10. Jimmy Butler (MIN) 88,009

All Star Game Format:

As most of you may already know, the 2018 All Star Game will be adopting a brand new premise. Since 1951, the NBA has competed in the common format of East vs. West, where the best of the best would show down from each conference. In these 66 showdowns, the East holds a 37-29 win advantage versus the West (s/o to all the Eastern Conference haters out there). Instead of creating matchup number 67, the NBA has decided to flip the script on the traditional process.

The new format is simple. The top vote-getter from the Eastern Conference (currently Giannis) will now become the captain of one team, while the top vote-getter of the Western Conference (currently Durant) will be captaining the other team. The captains will then go back-and-forth on selecting players out of the pool of starters and reserves. The captains will be determined LIVE on January 18th, where they will then select the remainder of their teams.

Keep in mind; this is only the first wave (12 full days) of voting. The race is close for captains in both conferences, so don’t be surprised if in two weeks these numbers are shifted. Also, fans only account for 50% of the finally votes, while current players and media panel accrue 25% of the votes as well. While we are nearing towards to 2018 All Star Game, a lot can happen in these next few weeks to determine the setup for this exciting premiere.

Exciting Faces:

It’s always exciting to see the budding superstars in the league start to become relevant. While they are constantly doing this during the season, the All-Star Game is an opportunity for them to be recognized for their ability and clout. No surprises, we’ve got the BBB King, aka New Mamba, aka Lonzo Ball representing the 8th spot in the voting. Also, his teammate Kyle Kuzma and fellow young superstar is receiving some recognition at the 9th spot for Frontcourt. While neither is likely to make the final cut, it’s exciting to see these two, along with Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Ben Simmons receiving some excitement.

RIP All Star Game 1951-2017:

The most disappointing aspect of the new format is this… How many of us would have killed to see KD and Russell lace em’ up versus Kyrie and LeBron? Two sets up superstars that were once devoted to a similar cause, now identifying as mortal enemies. While it would have been a mixture of theatrics, comedy, and suspense to see these guys attempt to play as teammates once again, this may add an extra dynamic. I’ll be saying a quick prayer that the two pairs are intermingled against one another, in hopes to draw a storyline the NBA All Star Committee will never forget.

Thanks for reading folks. Please leave your comments below on where you thought I missed, or any other exciting dynamics that this All Star Game will bring!