All-Star games and All-Star voting aren't usually focused on defense.
That fact is reflected in the second returns from fan voting for this year's game, which show Ben Simmons is currently eighth among Eastern Conference guards. Joel Embiid remains second among East frontcourt players, well below reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and just ahead of fellow Cameroonian Pascal Siakam.
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Though Simmons is not putting up robust scoring numbers in his third healthy NBA season (14.9 points per game) or taking many jump shots, he's fourth in assists per game with 8.6. He's also a highly versatile defender who's come through with important defensive plays in the clutch, and is first in the league in steals per game (minimum 10 games played).
Along with being behind players like the injured Kyrie Irving and sixth man Derrick Rose, Simmons has fewer votes than both Tacko Fall and Alex Caruso, players with passionate cult followings.
Fan voting is given a 50 percent weight in determining All-Star starters, with the voting of players and a panel of media members each weighted at 25 percent.
All-Star reserves are decided by coaches' voting.
NBA
Fan voting ends on Jan. 20. Starters will be named on Jan. 23, and the reserves a week later. The All-Star Game will take place on Feb. 16 in Chicago.
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