Wade to make his fourth All-Star appearance

MIAMI, FL – 01/24 The NBA announced tonight that Dwyane Wade was selected as a starter for the Eastern Conference in a vote of the fans for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game. The 57th NBA All-Star Game will be played at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, LA on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. ET and be broadcast nationally on TNT. Wade is joined by Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett (the top vote-getter), Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard and New Jersey Nets guard Jason Kidd as Eastern Conference starters. The Western Conference starters are San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Denver Nuggets guard Allen Iverson. The Eastern and Western Conference reserves will be selected by the league’s 30 head coaches and will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 31 on TNT.

Wade finished as the top vote-getter among Eastern Conference guards with 1,608,260 votes. The 2008 All-Star appearance will mark his fourth consecutive and the third straight year in which he was named a starter. In his three previous All-Star appearances, he has averaged 14.7 points, 3.30 steals, 2.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.70 blocks and 25.7 minutes while shooting 55.6 percent from the floor. Wade is the back-to-back winner of the Playstation Skills Challenge at All-Star Weekend having won the award in both 2007 and 2006. Additionally, Wade hit the game-winning field goal in the 2006 All-Star Game at Houston. Wade currently leads the HEAT in scoring average (25.0 ppg), field goals made (277) and attempted (590), free throws made (238) and attempted (318), assists (6.8 apg), steals (1.94 spg) and minutes (38.2 mpg).

2008 NBA ALL-STAR FINAL BALLOTING
EASTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Kevin Garnett (Bos) 2,399,148; LeBron James (Clev) 2,108,831; Chris Bosh (Tor) 838,498; Paul Pierce (Bos) 574,159; Yi Jianlian (Mil) 450,515; Caron Butler (Wash) 340,619; Hedo Turkoglu (Orl) 301,038; Andrea Bargnani (Tor) 293,200; Tayshaun Prince (Det) 280,369; Rashard Lewis (Orl) 240,725.

Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 1,608,260; Jason Kidd (NJ) 1,246,386; Ray Allen (Bos) 1,061,740; Vince Carter (NJ) 981,050; Gilbert Arenas (Wash) 797,502; Chauncey Billups (Det) 625,772; Michael Redd (Mil) 375,243; Richard Hamilton (Det) 308,357; Joe Johnson (Atl) 253,308; T.J. Ford (Tor) 253,216.

Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 2,066,991; Shaquille O’Neal (Mia) 965,171; Rasheed Wallace (Det) 303,978; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 283,576; Ben Wallace (Chi) 256,604; Jermaine O’Neal (Ind) 217,675; Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Cle) 205,152; Emeka Okafor (Char) 147,447; Eddy Curry (NY) 107,279; Zaza Pachulia (Atl) 98,593.

2008 NBA ALL-STAR FINAL BALLOTING
WESTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Carmelo Anthony (Den) 1,723,701; Tim Duncan (SA) 1,712,800; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 1,259,025; Carlos Boozer (Utah) 553,624; Shawn Marion (Phx) 514,142; Shane Battier (Hou) 475,483; Kevin Durant (Sea) 463,187; Luis Scola (Hou) 424,470; Josh Howard (Dal) 423,973; Grant Hill (Phx) 389,672.

Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 2,004,940; Allen Iverson (Den) 1,203,152; Tracy McGrady (Hou) 1,192,742; Steve Nash (Phx) 1,174,125; Chris Paul (NO) 563,525; Manu Ginobili (SA) 541,148; Tony Parker (SA) 500,009; Baron Davis (GS) 499,186; Jason Terry (Dal) 300,125; Jerry Stackhouse (Dal) 270,412.

Centers: Yao Ming (Hou) 1,709,180; Amaré Stoudemire (Phx) 998,969; Marcus Camby (Den) 412,563; Tyson Chandler (NO) 289,593; Erick Dampier (Dal) 254,662; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 216,271; Pau Gasol (Mem) 206,408; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 202,403; Chris Kaman (LAC) 189,385; Andris Biedrins (GS) 161,411.