Lakers’ Kobe Bryant voted to 16th NBA All-Star team

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was voted by the fans to his 16th NBA All-Star team, the league announced Thursday.

Bryant will represent the Western Conference along with point guard Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and forwards Blake Griffin of the Clippers, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Eastern Conference All-Stars voted to start are forward LeBron James and guard Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat, point guard Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers, forward Paul George of the Indiana Pacers and forward Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks.

The big question for Bryant: Will he be able to play in the game on Feb. 16?

The Lakers guard is recovering from a knee injury after missing most of the year while rehabbing a torn Achilles’ tendon. The team will reevaluate Bryant next week to determine if he’s ready to return from a lateral tibial plateau fracture.

If he misses the game, the NBA’s commissioner (either the retiring David Stern or incoming Adam Silver) will assign a replacement.

Bryant recently lobbied voters to select younger players, like Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, to the team, but his advice was widely ignored.

ALSO:

Lakers’ struggles could lead to strong prospect in NBA draft

Lakers worth $1.35 billion, ranked No. 2 on Forbes’ annual list

Phil Jackson on Bryant’s return: ‘People are going to be surprised’

Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.