NBA: Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets
NBA: Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets Reuters

Unexpectedly, the sport’s two best players, LeBron James of the Miami Heat and Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, are the leading vote-getters after the third update of the NBA All-Star Balloting 2014 which will decide the starters for the 63rd NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans set on Feb 16, 2014.

There were a few surprise inclusions—and omissions—however, with respect to how each performed so far in this regular season.

Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) with 677,372 votes has gained the advantage over Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers) with 651,073 votes in the third update of the balloting. Two backcourt players will be selected from each conference and join the frontcourt selection for the starting five for the East and West teams.

Despite his recent injury, Kobe Bryant with 844,538 votes still leads the Western Conference voting. If the voting would end today, the West starters will feature Curry and Bryant in the backcourt; Durant, Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets) and Blake Griffin (Clippers) complete the starting five.

Meanwhile, joining James in the East starting five are teammate Dwyane Wade and Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers) in the backcourt; Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks), Paul George (Indiana Pacers in the frontcourt.

Here’s the complete list of the third returns for the All-Star Balloting 2014 via nba.com:

Eastern Conference

Frontcourt:
 1. LeBron James (Mia) 1,076,063
2. Paul George (Ind) 899,671
3. Carmelo Anthony (NYK) 702,869
4. Roy Hibbert (Ind) 385,964
5. Chris Bosh (Mia) 304,986
6. Kevin Garnett (BKN) 164,021
7. Joakim Noah (Chi) 128,201
8. Andre Drummond (Det) 120,844
9. Tyson Chandler (NYK) 101,637
10. Jeff Green (Bos) 96,336
11. Luol Deng (Cle) 90,730
12. Carlos Boozer (Chi) 80,271
13. Paul Pierce (BKN) 72,581
14. David West (Ind) 61,612
15. Brook Lopez (BKN) 58,477

Backcourt:
 1. Dwyane Wade (Mia) 718,109
2. Kyrie Irving (Cle) 652,522
3. Derrick Rose (Chi) 323,099
4. John Wall (Was) 278,516
5. Ray Allen (Mia) 190,086
6. Rajon Rondo (Bos) 133,448
7. Deron Williams (BKN) 95,309
8. George Hill (Ind) 89,428
9. Lance Stephenson (Ind) 77,364
10. DeMar DeRozan (Tor) 68,985

Western Conference

Frontcourt:
 1. Kevin Durant (OKC) 1,054,209
2. Dwight Howard (Hou) 509,116
3. Blake Griffin (LAC) 500,964
4. Kevin Love (Min) 483,031
5. LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 404,793
6. Tim Duncan (Por) 385,342
7. Anthony Davis (NO) 223,956
8. Pau Gasol (LAL) 207,213
9. Andre Iguodala (GS) 192,616
10. Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 156,792
11. DeMarcus Cousins (Sac) 148,604
12. David Lee (GS) 141,509
13. Chandler Parsons (Hou) 135,387
14. Omer Asik (Hou) 101,372
15. Kawhi Leonard (SA) 91,859

Backcourt:
1. Kobe Bryant (LAL) 844,538
2. Stephen Curry (GS) 677,372
3. Chris Paul (LAC) 651,073
4. Jeremy Lin (Hou) 471,980
5. James Harden (Hou) 338,788
6. Russell Westbrook (OKC) 260,499
7. Tony Parker (SA) 195,328
8. Damian Lillard (Por) 162,363
9. Klay Thompson (GS) 108,404
10. Ricky Rubio (Min) 97,265

The NBA All-Star Balloting 2014 is the chance for NBA fans to vote for their favourite players and they have until Monday, Jan 20 to send in their votes. The All-Star starters will be announced on Jan 23.

Other events in the NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans include the Three-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest, Rising Stars Challenge and the All-Star Celebrity Game.