Who Leads the 2022 NBA All-Star Voting? Current Top Players Revealed

I remember checking the NBA All-Star voting updates last week and being genuinely surprised by how tight some of the races have become. As someone who’s followed basketball since my high school days, I’ve always loved this time of year—the buzz around All-Star selections feels almost as electric as the playoffs sometimes. This season’s fan voting has been particularly fascinating, with familiar superstars battling it out against some exciting newcomers. Let me walk you through where things stand as of now, because if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been refreshing NBA.com more often than you’d care to admit.

Right now, LeBron James is leading the Western Conference frontcourt, and honestly, who’s surprised? The man is in his 19th season and still putting up numbers that would make most All-Stars blush. I was watching the Lakers game last night thinking, “He’s 37 and still the best passer on the court.” Meanwhile, Stephen Curry has been absolutely running away with the guard spot in the West—his 29.5 points per game and those ridiculous 40-foot threes have fans voting in droves. What’s interesting though is how close the race gets after those two. I’ve noticed Andrew Wiggins getting serious love from voters this year, which shows how much perception changes when a player finds the right system.

Over in the Eastern Conference, things are getting spicy. Kevin Durant has been holding down the frontcourt lead despite his recent time off, which speaks volumes about how dominant he was before the injury. But what really caught my eye was seeing DeMar DeRozan’s name right up there—his mid-range mastery this season has been like watching basketball poetry. The man dropped 35+ points in eight straight games earlier this season! As for the guards, Trae Young and Zach LaVine are currently one-two, though I’ve got to say I’m personally rooting for LaVine to get that starting nod after carrying the Bulls through those early season injuries.

Now, here’s where it gets really interesting—the gap between starters and reserves is thinner than ever. Giannis Antetokounmpo is only about 80,000 votes behind KD in the East frontcourt, which is basically nothing in All-Star voting terms. And don’t even get me started on Ja Morant—the kid is must-watch television every single night. His 25 points and nearly 7 assists per game have him sitting pretty in third among West guards, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes a late surge. The Grizzlies’ unexpected rise has put him squarely in the national spotlight.

What many casual fans might not realize is how much team success influences these votes. When I see a team like the Warriors sitting near the top of the standings, it’s no coincidence that they have multiple players in voting contention. There’s a certain momentum that comes with winning—fans notice players more, highlights get more airtime, and suddenly someone like Jordan Poole starts getting serious All-Star consideration. Meanwhile, watching individual brilliance on struggling teams often gets overlooked, which is why I make a point to seek out players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the Thunder—the man drops 30 points like it’s nothing despite constant double teams.

The international voting bloc has created some fascinating dynamics too. Luka Dončić sitting fourth among West guards despite the Mavericks’ up-and-down season shows his global appeal. I was in Spain last year during voting season and saw his face on basketball magazines everywhere—the overseas support is very real. Similarly, Joel Embiid’s Cameroonian roots and dominant play have made him a global favorite, though he’s currently trailing Giannis in what might be the most talented frontcourt competition we’ve seen in years.

I can’t help but compare this to last year’s voting, where the pandemic created some unusual patterns. This year feels more traditional, yet somehow more unpredictable. The emergence of players like Darius Garland in Cleveland and LaMelo Ball in Charlotte has injected fresh excitement into the process. Garland’s 19 points and 8 assists per game might not jump off the page like Curry’s numbers, but when you watch him orchestrate that Cavaliers offense, you understand why he’s climbing the rankings daily.

What really makes All-Star voting special though is seeing which players capture the public’s imagination. There’s always that one guy who becomes a fan favorite beyond the stats—this year it feels like it might be Jarrett Allen with his fantastic afro and even more fantastic rim protection. The Cavs center is averaging a double-double while leading the league in field goal percentage, and his viral moments don’t hurt either. I’ve voted for him three times already myself—sometimes you just like a player’s vibe, you know?

As we head into the final stretch of voting, I’m keeping my eye on a few dark horses. Anthony Edwards in Minnesota has been playing out of his mind lately, and his highlight-reel dunks could sway last-minute voters. In the East, I’m watching James Harden’s numbers closely—his 22 points and 10 assists would normally guarantee a starting spot, but the competition is just so fierce this year. The beauty of All-Star voting is that anything can happen in these final days. One monster performance, one viral highlight, and the entire landscape can shift overnight. Personally, I’ll be glued to my screen waiting to see how it all shakes out—there’s nothing quite like the drama of NBA fan voting.