The NBA returns its showcase weekend to New Orleans on Feb. 14-16 for the first time since 2008, and for the first time this festive host city’s home team goes by the name of the Pelicans. During a special event in New Orleans on Friday afternoon, the NBA tipped off NBA All-Star Balloting 2014 presented by Sprint.
Fans from around the world can now cast their votes to select the starters for the Western and Eastern Conferences. In addition to being able to vote on Facebook and Twitter, the NBA has expanding social media voting to include Instagram. Fans can use Instagram to vote by posting an original photo, using #NBABallot and the player’s first and last name in the photo caption. Fans can vote for 10 unique players per day.
NBA fans can also access the ballot and vote through the NBA Game Time and NBA Game Time from Sprint apps, available on Android and iOS. Fans can fill out one full ballot per day, through the NBA Game Time and NBA Game Time from Sprint application, the most comprehensive app in the marketplace for NBA fans.
Balloting concludes on Jan. 20, and starters will be announced live on TNT on Jan. 23, during a special one-hour edition of TNT NBA Tip-Off. The 63rd All-Star Game will be played on Feb. 16 at the New Orleans Arena.
This could be one of the most competitive voting periods in years. Intriguing story lines abound starting with the Pelicans’ own Anthony Davis, a second-year Western Conference frontcourt candidate who is putting up monster, All-Star-worthy numbers through the season’s first two weeks. But for Davis to secure a starting spot he’ll have to beat out frontcourt incumbents Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin and Dwight Howard, not to mention the return of Kevin Love to the West mix after missing most of last season with a broken hand.
Four other Pelicans are also on the ballot, including the starting backcourt of Eric Gordon and Jrue Holiday, who made his All-Star debut last season for the East as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers. Sixth man Tyreke Evans as well 3-point specialist Ryan Anderson are also on the ballot.
In all, 120 players, 60 from each conference — 24 backcourt candidates and 36 frontcourt candidates – are on the ballot.
In the East, Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose will be a heavy favorite to regain his 2011 and 2012 starting spot. Rose missed all of last season recovering from a knee injury. Could Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving join him as a first-time starter after making his All-Star debut as a reserve last year? Will Boston’s Rajon Rondo make it back from a knee injury in time to earn the votes and reclaim his starting job? Could Philadelphia 76ers rookie Michael Carter-Williams sneak his way in?
If there’s one vulnerable spot in the East it has to be the venerable frontcourt starter Kevin Garnett, who for the first time in his career is on the ballot as a Brooklyn Net. Last season he narrowly beat out Miami’s Chris Bosh for the right to start.
In the West, Kobe Bryant will try to make it a 16th consecutive All-Star start, which might or might not be affected by how long he remains out recovering from an Achilles tear. Could Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio join teammate Love as first-time starters? Or could three-time All-Star reserve Russell Westbrook earn the start alongside Durant? Early MVP candidate Chris Paul certainly will be tough to unseat as the fans’ choice for one of the two backcourt starting positions.
The players on the ballot were selected by a panel of media who regularly cover the NBA: Greg Anthony (NBA Digital), Mary Schmitt Boyer (Cleveland Plain Dealer/PBWA), Zach Lowe (Grantland), and John Reid (New Orleans Times Picayune).
Now it’s time for the fans to once again make their voices heard.
NBA fans can also access the ballot and vote through the NBA Game Time and NBA Game Time from Sprint apps, available on Android and iOS. Fans can fill out one full ballot per day, through the NBA Game Time and NBA Game Time from Sprint application, the most comprehensive app in the marketplace for NBA fans.
Balloting concludes on Jan. 20, and starters will be announced live on TNT on Jan. 23, during a special one-hour edition of TNT NBA Tip-Off. The 63rd All-Star Game will be played on Feb. 16 at the New Orleans Arena.
This could be one of the most competitive voting periods in years. Intriguing story lines abound starting with the Pelicans’ own Anthony Davis, a second-year Western Conference frontcourt candidate who is putting up monster, All-Star-worthy numbers through the season’s first two weeks. But for Davis to secure a starting spot he’ll have to beat out frontcourt incumbents Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin and Dwight Howard, not to mention the return of Kevin Love to the West mix after missing most of last season with a broken hand.
Four other Pelicans are also on the ballot, including the starting backcourt of Eric Gordon and Jrue Holiday, who made his All-Star debut last season for the East as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers. Sixth man Tyreke Evans as well 3-point specialist Ryan Anderson are also on the ballot.
In all, 120 players, 60 from each conference — 24 backcourt candidates and 36 frontcourt candidates – are on the ballot.
In the East, Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose will be a heavy favorite to regain his 2011 and 2012 starting spot. Rose missed all of last season recovering from a knee injury. Could Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving join him as a first-time starter after making his All-Star debut as a reserve last year? Will Boston’s Rajon Rondo make it back from a knee injury in time to earn the votes and reclaim his starting job? Could Philadelphia 76ers rookie Michael Carter-Williams sneak his way in?If there’s one vulnerable spot in the East it has to be the venerable frontcourt starter Kevin Garnett, who for the first time in his career is on the ballot as a Brooklyn Net. Last season he narrowly beat out Miami’s Chris Bosh for the right to start.
In the West, Kobe Bryant will try to make it a 16th consecutive All-Star start, which might or might not be affected by how long he remains out recovering from an Achilles tear. Could Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio join teammate Love as first-time starters? Or could three-time All-Star reserve Russell Westbrook earn the start alongside Durant? Early MVP candidate Chris Paul certainly will be tough to unseat as the fans’ choice for one of the two backcourt starting positions.
The players on the ballot were selected by a panel of media who regularly cover the NBA: Greg Anthony (NBA Digital), Mary Schmitt Boyer (Cleveland Plain Dealer/PBWA), Zach Lowe (Grantland), and John Reid (New Orleans Times Picayune).
Now it’s time for the fans to once again make their voices heard.