New York -- Kobe Bryant is the leading vote-getter for the NBA All-Star Game and Tracy McGrady is on track to start beside him in the Western Conference backcourt despite not playing this season.
Bryant had more than 692,000 votes in the first set of returns announced Thursday, about 20,000 more than East leader Dwyane Wade. Also on track to start for the West are NBA leading scorer Carmelo Anthony and Dirk Nowitzki at forwards, and Amare Stoudemire at center.
McGrady is nearing a return from knee surgery, but leads Steve Nash by more than 9,000 votes for the West's second guard spot. McGrady likely is benefiting from his popularity in China as Yao Ming's longtime teammate in Houston.
LeBron James and Kevin Garnett lead at the East forward position, Dwight Howard has a huge advantage over Shaquille O'Neal, and his Orlando teammate, Vince Carter, is second among guards.
There are no Piston players among the top 10 at any position.
The All-Star Game is Feb. 14 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Starters will be announced Jan. 21 and reserves will be chosen a week later.
Here are the vote leaders:
Eastern Conference Forwards: LeBron James (Cleveland) 649,327; Kevin Garnett (Boston) 533,187; Chris Bosh (Toronto) 303,550; Paul Pierce (Boston) 131,379; Josh Smith (Atlanta) 109,404; Danny Granger (Indiana) 100,122; Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia) 75,146; Michael Beasley (Miami) 58,461; Hedo Turkoglu (Toronto) 55,416; Rashard Lewis (Orlando) 46,073
Guards: Dwyane Wade (Miami) 672,227; Vince Carter (Orlando) 292,002; Gilbert Arenas (Washington) 212,526; Ray Allen (Boston) 208,276; Derrick Rose (Chicago) 196,059; Allen Iverson (Philadelphia) 136,976; Joe Johnson (Atlanta) 118,964; Rajon Rondo (Boston) 113,371; Jose Calderon (Toronto) 68,084; Mike Bibby (Atlanta) 48,935
Centers: Dwight Howard (Orlando) 625,279; Shaquille O'Neal (Cleveland) 206,657; Andrea Bargnani (Toronto) 67,310; Al Horford (Atlanta) 52,747; Andrew Bogut (Milwaukee) 45,920; Brook Lopez (New Jersey) 39,420; Jermaine O'Neal (Miami) 38,956; Rasheed Wallace (Boston) 36,855; Kendrick Perkins (Boston) 19,408; Brad Miller (Chicago) 17,188
Western Conference
Forwards: Carmelo Anthony (Denver) 588,958; Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas) 366,300; Pau Gasol (Lakers) 280,758; Tim Duncan (San Antonio) 271,321; Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City) 177,205; Trevor Ariza (Houston) 168,167; Shawn Marion (Dallas) 161,653; Luis Scola (Houston) 134,321; Ron Artest (Lakers) 99,209; Lamar Odom (Lakers) 85,817
Guards: Kobe Bryant (Lakers) 692,518; Tracy McGrady (Houston) 281,545; Steve Nash (Phoenix) 272,135; Chris Paul (New Orleans) 248,049; Jason Kidd (Dallas) 207,247; Jason Terry (Dallas) 131,422; Aaron Brooks (Houston) 131,167; Chauncey Billups (Denver) 112,509; Brandon Roy (Portland) 106,416; Deron Williams (Utah) 94,715
Centers: Amare Stoudemire (Phoenix) 447,776; Andrew Bynum (Lakers) 299,484; Nene (Denver) 90,439; Marc Gasol (Memphis) 75,765; Greg Oden (Portland) 73,874; Al Jefferson (Minnesota) 48,676; Antonio McDyess (San Antonio) 46,323; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 35,606; Marcus Camby (Clippers) 35,471; Andris Biedrins (Golden State) 28,287
Note: While Allen Iverson appears among Western Conference guards on the paper ballot because he began the season with Memphis, his votes will count toward the Eastern Conference guards due to his signing with Philadelphia on Dec. 3.