(AFP) – Jan 24, 2008

NEW YORK (AFP) — Houston Rockets center Yao Ming of China was voted into the National Basketball Association All-Star Game by fans for the sixth straight year in balloting for the starters announced on Thursday.

Yao, who was unable to play despite his selection last year because of injury, will be joined in the Western Conference frontcourt by Tim Duncan, the superstar of reigning NBA champions San Antonio who will be making his 10th straight appearance in the mid-season showcase.

Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett led all players in votes received. Garnett, a 13-year veteran, is averaging 19.5 points and 9.8 rebounds in helping the 33-7 Celtics to the best mark in the NBA, one year after they finished with the second-worst mark.

Garnett will be joined in the East frontcourt by the Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, who leads the league with 29.5 points per game and will be making his fourth straight All-Star appearance.

Garnett received 2,399,148 votes, the sixth highest total in NBA All-Star balloting history and earned his 11th All-Star selection.

That's second among active players to Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal's 14 appearances.

But O'Neal, who is struggling through another injury-filled season with the disappointing Heat, saw a run of five straight All-Star starts come to a close.

Orlando's Dwight Howard, who was a reserve behind O'Neal last year, got the starting nod at center.

While O'Neal could completely miss out on the February 17 event in New Orleans, his teammate, Heat guard Dwyane Wade was named to his fourth straight appearance.

Joining Wade will be New Jersey Nets guard Jason Kidd, who has 10 triple-doubles this season and will be making his ninth All-Star appearance.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, second in the league in scoring behind James at 27.4 points per game, will be making his 10th straight appearance.

Denver Nuggets guard Allen Iverson, selected for the ninth straight time, will also represent the West, along with Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony.

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