Pachulia features high in All Star fan vote

Zaza Pachulia in warm-ups for the Golden State Warriors. Photo: Getty Images

The NBA has released the results of the first round of All Star fan voting and there is a surprise among the top vote-getters.

Golden State Warriors centre Zaza Pachulia, from Georgia, is currently in second-place among Western Conference forwards, with 439,675. That follows last year, in which he went close to snatching a starting spot thanks to the fan vote. The 2.11m big man is averaging 5.2 points per game and 3.6 rebounds.

Meanwhile Warriors forward Kevin Durant leads the way in Western Conference forwards, with 541,209, while San Antonio Spurs' forward Kawhi Leonard has 341,240. New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis trailed narrowly in fourth.

The Warriors also supplied the leading backcourt vote-getter, with reigning two-time MVP Stephen Curry picking up 523,597, while Houston Rockets guard James Harden is in second with 519,446.

Only Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook looks a chance to catch either.

In the Eastern Conference, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James leads the way with 595,288, while Milwaukee Bucks phenon Giannis Antetokounmpo is in second with 500,663. Cavs forward Kevin Love is back in third with 250,347, while Philadephia 76ers rookie Joel Embiid was a surprise in fourth.

Cavs guard Kyrie Irving leads the backcourt with 543,030, while Bulls guard Dwyane Wade has 278,052. Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan trails narrowly in third.

Kiwi big man Steven Adams did not make the top 10 of the Western Conference front court.

The final All Star starting teams will be decided by a combination of fan votes, player votes and media votes.

Eastern Conference

Frontcourt

LeBron James (CLE) 595,288

Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) 500,663

Kevin Love (CLE) 250,347

Joel Embiid (PHI) 221,984

Carmelo Anthony (NY) 189,817

Jimmy Butler (CHI) 189,066

Kristaps Porzingis (NY) 184,166

Paul George (IND) 138,332