2011 NBA All-Stars: 2 Heat, 2 Celtics on Pace to Earn All-Star starts

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade of the Heat and Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo of the Celtics are on pace to be voted as starters for the NBA All-Star game.

Garnett and Rondo remained in second place at their positions behind the Heat duo in the third voting returns announced Thursday. Orlando center Dwight Howard is the other leader among Eastern Conference players and has the most votes of any player in the conference.

The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant is the top overall vote-getter for the game in his home Staples Center on Feb. 20. The Hornets’ Chris Paul at the other guard and Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Denver’s Carmelo Anthony at forward are the other West leaders, while Houston’s Yao Ming has a sizable lead at center despite being out for the season with a foot injury.

Boosted by the huge online vote total he receives from fans in his native China, Yao was voted as a starter the first seven years of his career, from 2003-09. He was not on the ballot last season, when he was out for the year with an injury.

If an injured player is voted to start, Commissioner David Stern chooses an injury replacement for the roster and the conference’s coach tabs a reserve to start.

Starters will be announced Jan. 27.

Source/s:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AgXSdLfLjiXwj23_b8RfKyG8vLYF?slug=ap-all-starvoting

Rondo's Claims Against Paul

Currently, the New Orleans Hornets hangs by a thread with a 1-3 and is fourth at the Southwest division. It was plain to see that the Hornets should be getting worried even if it's just the start of the season. A lot can happen and if Hornets don't do something N-O-W, New Orleans would have to say bye-bye to the playoffs.

But that's not the case with Chris Paul, "I...want...to...win. Whatever it takes me to do, I’m going to find a way." It's the passion for the game that has got many to like CP3, which Rajon Rondo shares. Their difference is that Rondo has a ring while Paul still aims to have one.

Unsurprisingly, reports said that Rando told CP3 that, "I’ve got a ring, and you’re never gonna win one." Well, that was pretty much unprofessional for our young Celts. To think that he's got their so-called Big Three with him all this time while Paul carried on with what he's got.

Another huge difference that Paul has next to Rondo is humility. You got me all rooting for the Hornets even more with that kind of attitude. Can someone bring Rondo back to Earth? He's probably seeing himself so good. He is good but not as good as Paul is.

Paul was frustrated and worsened because of Rondo's claim. "I’m envious. I’m very envious. Those guys have been where I want to get to. This is my fifth year in the league, and I’m not trying to wait until I’m an old veteran in this league to win a championship. We’re trying to win now," says the Hornets point guard.

The Hornets will win as long as Paul stays and continues to believe that together with his David West, Tyson Chandler, and the rest of the Hornets.

As for Rondo, stay on the ground and watch that attitude before it pulls you down.