Steph Curry 2nd among West guards in initial All-Star returns

Klay Thompson is 9th.

We’re approaching the point in the NBA season where a whole lot of news, rumors, and chaos will ensue. The trade deadline is on February 8, and the All-Star Game is just 10 days later. That means a lot of reports and a lot of announcements, with many including the Golden State Warriors.

On Thursday, the first returns for the All-Star fan ballots were announced, and not surprisingly, Steph Curry finds himself near the top. Curry has 1,394,980 votes, which puts him second among all Western Conference guards, trailing Luka Dončić by about 55,000 votes.

Thanks to the team’s popularity courtesy of their dynastic run, the Dubs usually fill up the All-Star fan votes, but they’re fairly scarce this year: Klay Thompson is ninth in the Western Conference backcourt, and the Warriors have no one in the top 10 for the frontcourt.

Curry is a nine-time All-Star, and has been voted as a starter in each of those nine games. But that streak could potentially be in jeopardy. The fan vote makes up for 50% of voting power among All-Star starters, with votes by the players and media both accounting for 25%. Curry is in no danger of losing his fan vote spot to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but given that SGA might be the MVP if the season ended today, he could top the player and media votes. It’s not hard to construct an outcome where Gilgeous-Alexander and Dončić comprise the West’s starting backcourt (and as a reminder, the league is returning to the old West vs. East format this year).

Even if he misses out on a starting spot, Curry is a lock to be voted as a reserve (chosen by the league’s coaches), which would make him the 43rd player in NBA history to be selected to at least 10 All-Star Games.

It’s great to see Klay get some love by the fans, but I think it’s safe to say that Curry will be Golden State’s lone representative this year, for the February 18 game in Indiana.

Here’s the complete list of top 10 vote-getters in the first return:

Western Conference backcourt:

1. Luka Dončić (Mavs)
2. Steph Curry (Warriors)
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
4. James Harden (Clippers)
5. Kyrie Irving (Mavs)
6. Anthony Edwards (Wolves)
7. Ja Morant (Grizzlies)
8. De’Aaron Fox (Kings)
9. Klay Thompson (Warriors)
10. Austin Reaves (Lakers)

Western Conference frontcourt:

1. LeBron James (Lakers)
2. Kevin Durant (Suns)
3. Nikola Jokić (Nuggets)
4. Anthony Davis (Lakers)
5. Kawhi Leonard (Clippers)
6. Paul George (Clippers)
7. Alperen Şengün (Rockets)
8. Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
9. Chet Holmgren (Thunder)
10. Karl-Anthony Towns (Wolves)

Eastern Conference backcourt:

1. Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers)
2. Damian Lillard (Bucks)
3. Trae Young (Hawks)
4. Donovan Mitchell (Cavs)
5. Tyrese Maxey (76ers)
6. Jalen Brunson (Knicks)
7. LaMelo Ball (Hornets)
8. Derrick White (Celtics)
9. DeMar DeRozan (Bulls)
10. Jrue Holiday (Celtics)

Eastern Conference frontcourt:

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
2. Joel Embiid (76ers)
3. Jayson Tatum (Celtics)
4. Jimmy Butler (Heat)
5. Jaylen Brown (Celtics)
6. Bam Adebayo (Heat)
7. Mikal Bridges (Nets)
8. Kristaps Porziņģis (Celtics)
9. Kyle Kuzma (Wizards)
10. Paolo Banchero (Magic)