NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2009 – Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, this year’s leading vote-getter in the NBA All-Star Balloting program presented by T-Mobile with 3,150,181 votes, became the first player in balloting history to crack the 3 million-vote ceiling. Howard, who is making his third All-Star appearance, will start as the Eastern Conference’s center for the second time in his career.

Through the 2009 NBA All-Star Balloting program, fans worldwide were responsible for voting in the starters for the 58th NBA All-Star Game, which will be played in Phoenix on Sunday, Feb. 15. The game will air live (8 p.m. ET) on TNT, ESPN Radio and in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. The NBA All-Star Game was played in Phoenix in both 1975 and 1995.

Four other starters for this year’s All-Star Game each eclipsed the previous record of 2,558,278 votes received by Houston’s Yao Ming in 2004-05: Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (2,940,823), Los Angeles guard Kobe Bryant (2,805,397), Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (2,741,413) and San Antonio forward Tim Duncan (2,578,168).

Joining Howard, James and Wade in the Eastern Conference starting lineup are Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett (2,066,833), last year’s top vote-getter and the 2003 All-Star MVP, and Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson, the 2001 and 2005 All-Star Game MVP. James, who was the leading vote-getter in 2006-07 as well as the 2006 and 2008 All-Star Game MVP, and Wade each will make his fifth midseason classic appearance. Iverson will appear in his ninth All-Star Game. Among active players, Garnett’s 12th All-Star selection ranks second to Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O’Neal (14).

Bryant, the youngest All-Star in NBA history in 1998 as well as a two-time All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007), and Duncan, who is making his 11th appearance and was the co-MVP along with Shaquille O’Neal of the 2000 All-Star Game, are joined in the Western Conference starting lineup by New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul (2,134,798), Phoenix Suns forward Amar’e Stoudemire (1,460,429) and Houston Rockets center Yao Ming (2,532,958). Paul will make his second All-Star Game appearance; Stoudemire his fourth; and Yao his sixth.

In selecting the reserves, the 30 NBA head coaches NBA head coaches must vote for seven players within their conference, including two guards, two forwards, a center and two players regardless of position. Coaches are not permitted to vote for players on their team. After the coaches select the reserves, if a player is unable to participate in the All-Star Game, NBA Commissioner David Stern will select a replacement.

Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson and the Lakers coaching staff earned the honor to coach the Western Conference All-Stars by clinching the best winning percentage in the conference through games of Feb. 1. The Eastern Conference Coach is yet to be determined. Last year’s East All-Star coach – Boston’s Doc Rivers – is not eligible to coach this year. Howard, James, Bryant, Wade, Duncan and the rest of year's All-Star participants will join members of the NBA Family for the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service on Friday, Feb. 13. The volunteers will participate in one of three projects in the Phoenix community. As the presenting partner of the 2009 NBA All-Star Balloting program, and in support of the NBA’s season-long effort to better the various communities in Phoenix, T-Mobile will donate $1 for every ballot cast on t-zones, T-Mobile's wireless Web portal, to help the youth of Phoenix. The week leading up to the 58th NBA All-Star Game will feature a full slate of community-enhancing activities and fan festivals, such as NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas and the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam on Friday, Feb. 13. In conjunction with All-Star Balloting, 2K Sports will give fans the opportunity to experience Phoenix and the best of basketball by entering the NBA 2K9 Sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to NBA All-Star 2009 and to have their likeness as a digitized player incorporated in next year’s game, NBA 2K10. NBA All-Star 2009 is a week-long 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 such as NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas. The final returns of both the Eastern and Western Conference for the 2009 NBA All-Star balloting program presented by T-Mobile are attached:

Eastern Conference
F – Kevin Garnett, Boston
F – LeBron James, Cleveland
C – Dwight Howard, Orlando
G – Allen Iverson, Detroit
G – Dwyane Wade, Miami
Head coach: TBD


Western Conference
F – Tim Duncan, San Antonio
F – Amar’e Stoudemire, Phoenix
C – Yao Ming, Houston
G – Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
G – Chris Paul, New Orleans
Head coach: Phil Jackson, L.A. Lakers


2009 NBA ALL-STAR FINAL BALLOTING

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: LeBron James (Clev) 2,940,823; Kevin Garnett (Bos) 2,066,833; Yi Jianlian (NJ) 1,813,829; Paul Pierce (Bos) 1,238,763; Chris Bosh (Tor) 1,101,052; Hedo Turkoglu (Orl) 632,051; Shawn Marion (Mia) 405,573; Danny Granger (Ind) 365,810; Josh Smith (Atl) 321,129; Tayshaun Prince (Det) 274,540; Michael Beasley (Mia) 273,471.

Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 2,741,413; Allen Iverson (Det) 1,804,649; Vince Carter (NJ) 1,239,613; Devin Harris (NJ) 1,182,406; Luke Ridnour (Mil) 1,039,902; Ray Allen (Bos) 851,205; Gilbert Arenas (Wash) 635,540; Derrick Rose (Chi) 474,384; Jose Calderon (Tor) 445,584; Joe Johnson (Atl) 420,210; Jameer Nelson (Orl) 354,773.

Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 3,150,181; Kendrick Perkins (Bos) 621,709; Rasheed Wallace (Det) 402,991; Samuel Dalembert (Phi) 396,119; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 357,997; Jermaine O’Neal (Tor) 342,723; Al Horford (Atl) 323,302; Brendan Haywood (Wash) 291,490; Ben Wallace (Clev) 263,862; Zyrdrunas Ilgauskas (Cle) 219,697; Emeka Okafor (Char) 212,539.

2009 NBA ALL-STAR FINAL BALLOTING

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Tim Duncan (SA) 2,578,168; Amar’e Stoudemire (Pho) 1,460,429; Bruce Bowen (SA) 1,392,398; Ron Artest (Hou) 1,362,565; Carmelo Anthony (Den) 1,337,519; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 1,107,926; Pau Gasol (LAL) 948,301; Shane Battier (Hou) 694,112; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 497,550; Luis Scola (Hou) 405,851; Josh Howard (Dal) 298,810.

Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 2,805,397; Chris Paul (NO) 2,134,798; Tracy McGrady (Hou) 1,678,516; Manu Ginobili (SA) 1,642,350; Tony Parker (SA) 1,084,361; Steve Nash (Pho) 677,211; Jamal Crawford (GS) 665,038; Rafer Alston (Hou) 550,199; Jason Kidd (Dal) 477,792; Brandon Roy (Por) 468,688; Chauncey Billups (Den) 466,073.

Centers: Yao Ming (Hou) 2,532,958; Shaquille O’Neal (Pho) 1,850,018; Andrew Bynum (LAL) 549,131; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 437,106; Greg Oden (Por) 359,318; Andris Biedrins (GS) 357,984; Al Jefferson (Minn) 310,643; Tyson Chandler (NO) 242,356; Chris Kaman (LAC) 231,928; Marcus Camby (LAC) 158,491; Nick Collison (OKC) 154,309.

TOP 10 ALL-TIME SINGLE SEASON LEADING
NBA ALL-STAR VOTE-GETTERS
Player - Year - Votes
1. Dwight Howard, Orl 2009 3,150,181
2. LeBron James, Cle 2009 2,940,823
3. Kobe Bryant, LAL 2009 2,805,397
4. Dwyane Wade, Mia 2009 2,741,413
5. Tim Duncan, SA 2009 2,578,168
6. Yao Ming, Hou 2005 2,558,278
7. Yao Ming, Hou 2009 2,532,958
8. LeBron James, Cle 2007 2,516,049
9. Yao Ming, Hou 2007 2,451,718
10. Michael Jordan, Chi 1997 2,451,136


2009 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING TOP 10
OVERALL LEADING VOTE-GETTERS
Player-Votes
1. Dwight Howard, Orl 3,150,181
2. LeBron James, Cle 2,940,823
3. Kobe Bryant, LAL 2,805,397
4. Dwyane Wade, Mia 2,741,413
5. Tim Duncan, SA 2,578,168
6. Yao Ming, Hou 2,532,958
7. Chris Paul, NO 2,134,798
8. Kevin Garnett, Bos 2,066,833
9. Shaquille O’Neal, Pho 1,850,018
10. Yi Jianlian, NJ 1,813,829
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ORLANDO’S HOWARD IS TOP VOTE-GETTER IN 2009 T-MOBILE ALL-STAR BALLOTING

Dwight Howard's Reaction:

“When I first heard I was leading in votes I was shocked to be honest with you. I really didn’t expect anything considering you have guys like Kobe (Bryant), Lebron (James), and Dwyane Wade. I just thought wow, what a blessing. That is what I took it as, a blessing from God, and then the fans. It’s just a great honor and I was surprised, but like always I thank the fans for everything they have done for us. I hope to share the experience with my teammates as well. With the way we have played Jameer Nelson, Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu all deserve All-Star honors, and Courtney Lee should be in the Rookie Game."