Kobe Bryant leading Western Conference All-Star balloting

On Thursday, the NBA released the first set of ballot results for the 2013 All-Star Game.

Fourteen-time All-Star Kobe Bryant led the Western Conference in votes with 639,419 votes, second overall to just the Miami Heat’s LeBron James with 641,348.

Instead of the traditional categories of guard, forward and center, the ballot was adjusted this year into “frontcourt� and “backcourt.� Leading in the initial votes in the West, behind Bryant, were Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (605,965 votes), Lakers center Dwight Howard (434,168), Clippers guard Chris Paul (363,603) and Clippers forward Blake Griffin (307,855).

The top vote-getters in the Eastern Conference, after James, were New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (573,112), Miami’s Dwyane Wade (430,925), Boston Celtics Rajon Rondo (382,613) and Celtics center/forward Kevin Garnett (218,246).

Voting will conclude Jan. 14 and will be announced live on TNT on Jan. 17.

Houston Rockets guard Jeremy Lin received enough ballots (298,319) to be third in the West behind Paul. While fans choose the starting lineup, Lin would have to be selected by the 30 head coaches if he doesn’t catch the Clippers star guard in the voting.

Former Lakers center Andrew Bynum received 68,596 ballots, despite not playing in a single game this season with knee troubles.

Steve Nash, with just a game and a half under his belt before a leg injury, received 118,073. At least Metta World Peace actively earned his 59,167 votes.

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.