by Conrad Brunner
January 3, 2001
INDIANAPOLIS, January 3, 2001 -- Veteran Reggie Miller, who has gone to four of the last five NBA All-Star games, continues to be the most popular Pacers player in the weekly update of fan balloting released by the league today.
Young center Jermaine O'Neal isn't far behind, though, and could have a strong case for inclusion on the East roster.
Miller is fourth among guards in the Eastern Conference with 162,677 votes. That ranks 10th among all players in the East. Those ahead of him are Philadelphia's Allen Iverson (499,548), Orlando's Tracy McGrady (262,140) and New Jersey's Stephon Marbury (182,075).
O'Neal is fourth at center with 148,042 votes, trailing Miami's Alonzo Mourning (244,927), Philadelphia's Theo Ratliff (202,523) and Atlanta's Dikembe Mutombo (176,601).
Mourning, out for the season with a kidney disease, won't be able to play in the game. If he is voted into the starting lineup by the fans, then NBA Commissioner David Stern will name his replacement.
Toronto's Vince Carter is the overall leader, while Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal is tops in the West.
The fans, through the Sprite NBA All-Star 2001 voting program, will determine starters for the NBA All-Star Game 2001, to be played at The MCI Center in Washington D.C. on Sunday, Feb. 11.
Balloting will continue through Jan. 14, and updated results for the Eastern and Western Conferences will be issued weekly concluding with the announcement of the All-Star starters on Saturday, Jan. 27. The head coaches will vote for the remaining members of the All-Star teams in their respective conferences and their selections will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 30.
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