Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo Command All Star Vote

Merlin sees Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo sitting atop the fan vote, Dončić with 2,229,811 and Giannis with 2,092,284, ahead of Nikola Jokić and Jalen Brunson. Voting ends Jan. 14 and starters are revealed Jan. 19. The eye is on LeBron James, who is only eighth in the West and could lose a starting spot under the weighted vote. Marc Stein wrote that commissioner Adam Silver "will almost certainly invite James to participate as some sort of commissioner's pick." Jokić’s recovering knee could also create a Western opening. Merlin notes that reputation still matters but no longer guarantees a ballot crown. LeBron averages 21.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists through 17 games, yet fan tastes and injury noise have boosted Dončić and Giannis. Expect league discretion to shape the final field more than pure sentiment.