The 2016 NBA All-Star Game will be held this season in Toronto and by the way things are going, Kobe Bryant will take his talents across the border. The first return of All-Star voting was released prior to the Christmas Day game, and Kobe leads all players with 719,235 votes.
The NBA will allow three frontcourt players in the starting five per conference, and Bryant looks like a lock to claiming one of those spots. Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin round out the other frontcourt players, while Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook are the two guards.
After the Lakers-Clippers Christmas Day game, Bryant spoke to the media about being the leading vote getter, and even he was surprised at the numbers according to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
Kobe Bryant says he's shocked he's leading in #NBA #AllStar voting, laughs, "I saw the damn votes and I was like what the hell?"
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) December 26, 2015
Bryant has been named an All-Star starter 17 times in his career, and he will likely have one more chance to play in front of the fans this season. Although he may not be playing at an All-Star level, fans want Bryant to celebrate his final All-Star Game in Toronto.
This season, Bryant has averaged 17.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. The Lakers are a struggling team, but there will be no bigger story during All-Star Weekend than the five-time champion himself.
