NBA All-Star voting takeaways: Kobe Bryant is dominating

Updated NBA All-Star votes are here, and there are plenty of key takeaways — starting with Kobe Bryant having 336,329 more votes than Stephen Curry.

We have updated NBA All-Star votes, and there are some interesting takeaways from who the fans have been favoring so far. We know the names like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry are going to appear at the top of the list, but the fact that Kobe has way more votes than Curry, and almost twice as many as LeBron, is still pretty startling.

Clearly, that’s what having millions of fans and being one of the biggest legends in the history of the game does for your All-Star campaign — even when you’re dealing with injuries and having a terribly inefficient season. Yet, thanks to being so highly respected and adored all around the world, Kobe has 336,329 more votes than the already-undisputed MVP, Stephen Curry. You can see the numbers for yourself from the official NBA All-Star account:

Let’s have a look at a few takeaways from the second batch of All-Star votes:

• Kobe Bryant having twice as many as LeBron: It’s almost to be expected with the dramatic final chapter of Kobe’s career that this season has turned out to be. For Lakers fans and some basketball fans in general, they’re more worried about the Black Mamba than anything else this year. Not to mention, he has more of a worldwide following, specifically in China, than any other player to help rack up the votes. No, he shouldn’t be so far ahead of Curry when the Golden State Warriors’ star is leading them to a historic season, but that’s just the way it is with Kobe right now. His popularity reigns supreme.

• Draymond Green moving to 3rd place in West frontcourt voting: This isn’t too surprising either, and his numbers have probably soared thanks to his recent triple-double surge. His seven triple-doubles lead the league, and he has now recorded three straight. Plus, Curry recently being limited due to a shin injury has allowed Green to step further into the limelight, which leads to more votes again.

• Kyrie Irving being 2nd in East guards voting: This one doesn’t feel right. He’s missed basically the entire season and has only appeared in seven games so far. Of course, he’s incredibly talented and would normally deserve a high standing in the voting, but he doesn’t deserve 2nd place ahead of guys like Kyle Lowry, John Wall and Jimmy Butler.

• Manu Ginobili having more votes than Damian Lillard: This just shows how far the Portland Trail Blazers have fallen and how little people notice them now. Lillard is still putting up 24.2 points per game, yet thanks to his team falling to 10th in the West and missing seven games recently, he’s been overtaken by 38-year-old Ginobili of the surging Spurs.

• Zaza Pachulia has more votes than DeMarcus Cousins: Yes, the Sacramento Kings have their troubles and more off-court issues and arguments than most franchises, but Cousins seems damned to make the All-Star game. He barely made it last year, and he’s right near the bottom of the picture again this season despite averaging 25.1 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, while adding a 31 percent three-point shot to his already dominant skill set. That being said, Pachulia has played extremely well to help the Dallas Mavericks, and has surprised everyone with 10.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.

• Isaiah Thomas deserves more votes: Thomas has been having a stellar career-year with the Boston Celtics, and his career-high 20.9 points and 6.9 assists per game have been a key factor in their resilient success. It was always going to be difficult for him to compete with the East’s group of elite backcourt players, but he easily deserves far more votes than Jeremy Lin.

• The Atlanta Hawks are gone: After historically earning four players a place in last season’s All-Star game, the Hawks may have no one this season. The tables can turn so quickly in basketball.

As all fans of various teams and players will react differently to the All-Star numbers, your takeaways and points of interest will vary. Kawhi Leonard finally getting what he deserves at 4th in the West frontcourt is great to see as he’s such an incredible two-way player and needs his first appearance in the big game this year.

Draymond Green is also deserving of a high place, due to being such an integral part of what could easily become one of the very best teams in NBA history.

Paul George is likely enjoying his stellar comeback season even more now as he sits 2nd in the East frontcourt voting to LeBron himself. Instead of just returning from injury and searching for form, he’s better than ever.

All that aside, though, there’s one resounding number when it comes to the All-Star voting so far: Kobe Bryant is dominating with 1.26 million, and no one else comes close.