![The Greek Freak leads all Eastern Conference players so far in the first All-Star vote returns. [Image via Bleacher Report/YouTube screencap]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/1/5/660x290/b_502x220x82/the-greek-freak-leads-all-eastern-conference-players-so-far-in-the-first-all-star-vote-returns-image-via-bleacher-reportyoutube-screencap_2175779.jpg "The Greek Freak leads all Eastern Conference players so far in the first All-Star vote returns. [Image via Bleacher Report/YouTube screencap]")
The first returns are in for the NBA All-Star voting. This year's game is in Charlotte, North Carolina, home of the league's Hornets. Here are the five players (three frontcourt and two backcourt) that have the top votes so far.
Help send @DwyaneWade to his 1️⃣3️⃣th #NBAAllStar game!
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) January 5, 2019
RT & Vote Here » Vote now! https://t.co/9qHvs77aw5 #OneLastDance #HEATCulture #NBA pic.twitter.com/BHKYBcGSao
Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks
The Greek Freak has been having another outstanding season. He started out surging with some monster performances but has slowed down just a bit lately. Still, his team is looking good as things roar towards the halfway point. Giannis leads all East players with 991,561 votes so far.
Giannis Antetokounmpo says he could beat Dwayne Johnson in a wrestling match. https://t.co/HkaKKSCVeW pic.twitter.com/9K0NT1NSTO
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 5, 2019
Kawhi Leonard - Toronto Raptors
There were plenty of questions when Kawhi was traded to Toronto for DeRozan, especially after Leonard sat out for a stretch in San Antonio last season. However, he has easily answered any critics by leading his team to one of the best records in the Eastern Conference. Leonard currently has 774,172 votes from the fans.
The All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard made his first return to San Antonio since leaving the Spurs for the Toronto Raptors, where the crowd booed him and yelled "Traitor." https://t.co/EqLMjUbNFY pic.twitter.com/Tq7Otd6Lhe
— The New Yorker (@NewYorker) January 5, 2019
Joel Embiid - Philadelphia 76ers
There's no arguing Embiid as an All-Star Game starter either. His season has been nothing short of impressive with double-double after double-double. Barring any unfortunate injury, he seems to be a lock for this year's game and currently has 648,002 votes.
Joel Embiid has three games of at least 40 points and 15 rebounds this season 👀 pic.twitter.com/PIYQWS9T2T
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 3, 2019
Kyrie Irving - Boston Celtics
Irving is just behind the Freak with 910,329 votes. The Boston Celtics star has picked up the pace since a sluggish start and the team still looks like a potential contender this season.
Tristan Thompson believes Kyrie Irving is a 1st-ballot Hall of Famer. 🤔 https://t.co/oJ8VmceRci pic.twitter.com/70vPOWaC0u
— theScore (@theScore) January 2, 2019
Dwyane Wade - Miami Heat
This one is certainly a sentimental "send-off vote," but Wade has earned it with a noteworthy career. It's his final season for the Miami Heat and the three-time NBA Champion has 409,156 votes in the first return. Unfortunately, Kemba Walker should probably have this spot as the game's in Charlotte and he's been having a season.
NEW: @DwyaneWade appreciative of fans voting to see ‘my old self in All-Star Game' https://t.co/lmVo5AjRX3
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) January 4, 2019
