Houston, TX

Kobe Bryant garnered 1,591,437 votes to become the leading vote-getter in the NBA All-Star game for the third time in his career.

He beat out LeBron James by fewer than 8,000 votes.

Bryant is having one of his best offensive seasons in years, leading the NBA in scoring at 29.9 points per game for the Los Angeles Lakers. In 17 seasons, it was Bryant's 15th consecutive All-Star selection, a record.

A four-time All-Star MVP (2002, 2007, 2009, and 2011), Bryant holds the distinction as the youngest All-Star in NBA history (1998). In last year's All-Star Game in Orlando, he passed Michael Jordan as the game's all-time scoring leader.

He is joined by Los Angeles Clippers' Chris Paul (929,155) as the other Western Conference starter at guard. Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (1,504,047), Lakers center Dwight Howard (922,070) and Clippers forward Blake Griffin (863,832) comprise the starting frontcourt.

Joining James in the Eastern Conference frontcourt are the New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony (1,460,950) and the Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett (553,222. The East guards are the Heat's Dwyane Wade (1,052,310) and the Celtics' Rajon Rondo (924,180).

This season's voting marks the first time that fans have been asked to vote for three frontcourt players instead of two forwards and one center.

The 62nd NBA All-Star Game will be played at the Toyota Center in Houston on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. ET.

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