Yao Ming (Houston Rockets NBA team) and Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers NBA team) lead the Western Conference, while Shaquille O'Neal of the Miami Heat and LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers lead the Eastern Conference in votes established after the third returns of the 2006 NBA All-Star Balloting program.

Through the 2006 NBA All-Star Balloting program, NBA basketball fans from around the world are accountable for voting in the starters for the 55th NBA All Star Game, which will be played in Houston on Sunday, Feb. 19. The game will be shown live on TNT, Rogers Sportsnet, ESPN Radio and audio in numerous languages.

Yao Ming (1,759,574) and Kobe Bryant (1,653,770) lead all players in votes received. The Rockets' Tracy McGrady leads all Western Conference forwards with 1,421,456 votes. The San Antonio Spurs' Duncan (1,071,115) and the Minnesota Timberwolves' Garnett (1,064,512) follow at the forward spot in what is shaping up to be one of the closest position races in NBA basketball history. Kobe Bryant and the Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash (1,332,848), the 2004-05 NBA Most expensive NBA basketball Player, lead all Western Conference guards.