Despite Kobe Bryant’s advice, he’s an All-Star starter to voting fans

Kobe Bryant recently suggested that fans vote for younger players such as Damian Lillard for February’s NBA All-Star Game.

The fans aren’t listening.

On Thursday, the league released its latest set of returns and Bryant is the leading vote-getter in the backcourt at 844,538.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (677,372) displaced inured Clippers guard Chris Paul (651,073) in the West. Paul is out for six weeks with a separated shoulder.

Bryant has been sidelined with a knee injury but should be healthy in time for the Feb. 16 All-Star Game in New Orleans.

Dwyane Wade (718,109) of the Miami Heat and Kyrie Irving (652,522) of the Cleveland Cavaliers are the top vote-getters in the Eastern Conference. Injured Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (323,099) is a distant third.

Kevin Durant (1,054,209), of the Oklahoma City Thunder leads the West in the frontcourt, followed by Houston’s Dwight Howard (509,116) and the Clippers’ Blake Griffin (500,964). The top three in the frontcourt are selected by fans as starters.

Minnesota’s Kevin Love (483,031) and Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge (404,793) are still within striking distance of Howard and Griffin.

Miami’s LeBron James is the overall leading vote-getter at 1,076,063. He’ll be joined in the East’s frontcourt by Indiana’s Paul George (899,671) and Carmelo Anthony (702,869). Indiana center Roy Hibbert (385,964) is a distant fourth.

As far as Bryant’s preference — Lillard is eighth in the West with 162,363 votes.

Lakers forward-center Pau Gasol (207,213) is eighth overall in frontcourt votes in the Western Conference.

If an injured player is selected by the fans, the commissioner will choose an alternate.

ALSO:

Lakers lineup not-so-merry-go-round

Lakers’ struggles continue in 113-99 loss to Rockets

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak gives Mike D’Antoni a vote of confidence

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