Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers lead the Western Conference, while LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers lead the Eastern Conference in votes received after the first returns of 2007 NBA All-Star Balloting.

Through the 2007 NBA All-Star Balloting program, NBA fans from around the globe are responsible for voting in the starters for the 56th NBA All-Star Game, which will be played in Las Vegas on Sunday, Feb. 18. The game will air live on TNT, ESPN Radio and in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.  

Yao leads all players with 836,392 votes. The Minnesota Timberwolves? Kevin Garnett leads all Western Conference forwards with 453,536 votes, followed by San Antonio?s Tim Duncan (423,228). Bryant (720,375) and the Houston Rockets? Tracy McGrady (668,130) lead all Western Conference guards.

James leads all Eastern Conference players with 808,570 votes, followed by Iverson (595,200). The Toronto Raptors? Chris Bosh (304,624) is second to James among Eastern Conference forwards. Miami?s Shaquille O?Neal leads all Eastern Conference centers with 522,815 votes, followed by the Orlando Magic?s Dwight Howard (415,708).