The NBA will make All-Star balloting changes in order to give players and the media a say when it comes to voting for starters along with the fans, sources told ESPN's Marc Stein.
The fan vote would weigh for 50 percent of the vote count while players and media would have 25 percent each.
All-Star voting is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. ET on Christmas Day, prior to the league's annual slate of five games throughout the holiday. The All-Star Game is Feb. 19 in New Orleans.
Players and select media members will be eligible to complete one full ballot each, with players indeed able to vote for teammates or themselves if they so wish, per sources.
The ballot features slots for three frontcourt starters and two backcourt starters from both Eastern and Western Conference.
This change could transform the title of “All-Star” to a more merited honor and not a mere popularity contest — largely benefitting players in a smaller market, the likes of Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns.
While this provision is still unlikely to change lifetime achievement award-type selections, like it did for players like Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal that received one last All-Star nod toward the end of their careers — it will provide new opportunities for players in their ascent to the NBA's elite.
Follow Us
Subscribe