HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- Despite finishing out of the top two in the fan vote Rockets guard James Harden will start the All Star Game for the third straight year, the NBA announced Thursday.
Harden finished behind Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Wolves guard Derrick Rose in the fan vote, but thanks to the media and player vote, which counts just as much, Harden the league's reigning MVP will be among the five starters that will represent the Western Conference in Charlotte February 17.
Thursday marks Harden's seventh straight All Star Game appearance, trailing only Yao Ming and Hakeem Olajuwon for most in franchise history. After scoring 61 points Wednesday night against the New York Knicks, the Rockets guard leads the NBA in scoring, averaging 36.3 points per game.
Curry, Kevin Durant, Paul George and LeBron James were voted five starters from the Western Conference, while Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard and Kemba Walker were voted out of the Eastern Conference. As leading vote getters, James and Antetokounmpo will be team captains and will pick teams when the reserves are announced February 7.
