NBA: Kobe Bryant leads second returns of NBA All-Star balloting, overtakes LeBron James

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant overtook Miami Heat forward LeBron James as top vote-getter for the 2013 NBA All-Star game, in the second returns of balloting, the league announced Thursday (Friday, PHL time).

Bryant logged 977,444 votes, closely followed by James' 970,314 nods. During the first round of balloting earlier in December, James was ahead with 641,348 votes, compared to Bryant's 639,419.

The 2013 NBA All-Star Weekend is slated for February 15 to 17 (February 16 to 19, PHL time), in Houston, Texas.

Trailing the duo are Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (924,898 votes) and New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (891,759).

As it currently stands, the Eastern Conference would trot out a starting line-up of James and Anthony, Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett (328,716) and Rajon Rondo (574,272), plus James' Heat teammate Dwyane Wade (645,875).

Third in frontcourt votes is Miami Heat big man Chris Bosh (308,194), followed by New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (260,000), while runners-up at the backcourt positions are Deron Williams of the Brooklyn Nets (309,778) and Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers (258,193).

The West on the other hand would be represented by Bryant, Durant, LA Clippers Chris Paul (524,564) and Blake Griffin (489,795), and Bryant's Lakers starting center Dwight Howard (616,150).

Just behind those guys are Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs (299,434) and another Laker, Pau Gasol (197,377), in the frontcourt, and hometown selections Jeremy Lin (496,133) and James Harden (283,691) in the backcourt. - AMD, GMA News