Miami Heat’s Anthony 4th among centers in All-Star vote
The fourth-best center in the Eastern Conference in the eyes of those voting for All-Star Game starters, one currently trending with twice the popularity of Atlanta Hawks All-Star Al Horford?
Uh, that would be Miami Heat center Joel Anthony.
No, seriously.
With the NBA having gone from paper ballots to internet-only voting amid this lockout-compressed schedule, Anthony ranked fourth among Eastern Conference centers in Thursday’s first release of fan voting.
Anthony, with 41,832 votes, not only has nearly double the total of Horford (23,546), but is not that far behind the Chicago Bulls’ Joakim Noah (75,038), who stands second in the East balloting at center. What makes that interesting is if Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, who leads all East centers with 754,737 votes, is traded to the Western Conference prior to the conclusion of All-Star balloting, the No. 2 finisher in the East would therefore start. (New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler is third in the voting among East centers with 61,774 votes).
Voting concludes Jan. 31, with the starters announced Feb. 2.
Anthony’s lead on Horford actually is moot, with the former University of Florida star now sidelined three to four months with a torn pectoral muscle.
Only the All-Star starters are selected in the fan vote, with the reserves selected by conference coaches.
By Ira Winderman – South Florida Sun Sentinel
Read more here: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-joel-anthony-s011212,0,2296171.story
