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3 surprises from 1st NBA All-Star fan vote returns

Gregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport / Getty

As was the case last year, the power of selecting starters for the 2018 NBA All-Star Game doesn't solely fall to basketball fans, so when returns like the ones we got Thursday emerge, the numbers really only tell half of the story.

The voting period doesn't conclude until Jan. 15, and when it does, other players and select members of the media will chime in to comprise the remaining half of the weighted vote.

What we've seen in the early returns, however, are indicators of who's in the driver's seat to snag a starting gig, and how those 10 spots will likely be filled. There are also names we didn't necessarily expect to garner the level of support they have, even if it's unlikely they'll make up enough ground in the end.

Here are three surprises from the initial returns that caught us off guard.

1. The Greek Freak > The King

Since the voting format changed from guards, forwards, and centers to backcourt and frontcourt in 2013, LeBron James has consistently been the top vote-getter out in the Eastern Conference, and occasionally even the entire Association.

Well, the only way that will happen is if the Cleveland Cavaliers are once again at the head of the pack. For now, at least, that distinction belongs to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who currently sits second in scoring at 29.1 points per game.

The Greek Freak's production nearly across the board is either on par or better than James', so it's not like Antetokounmpo is undeserving of his votes.

The fact he has an edge over James in the ballot (albeit a small one) goes to show that more than enough people have paid attention to his unworldly ability, as well as the significant strides he's taken in his game to perhaps one day be James' successor as the league's best.

2. Isaiah Thomas?

He's played one game. That's it.

There's no rule in place preventing players who haven't been active for a certain amount of games from being All-Star-eligible. Thomas just recently returned to make his Cavaliers debut after rehabbing his injured hip, yet is still somehow seventh in East backcourt voting ahead of the likes of Kyle Lowry and Bradley Beal.

Twelve months ago, during his career year in Beantown, Thomas went fourth in fan voting, second among players, and first with the media. Had he been healthy from the season opener onward, he'd probably be in that ballpark again.

The players and media will even out the universe and (rightfully) keep Thomas away from the on-court festivities on Feb. 18. His reputation and body of work have garnered him the votes he currently holds, so it's up to each individual to determine whether or not that's fair.

3. Noticeable rookie presence

It's out of the ordinary for a first-year talent to be taking the floor on All-Star Sunday. Since 2000, only two then-rookies (Yao Ming and Blake Griffin) have managed to crack the roster, although it occurred far more frequently before then.

Barring an unforeseen spike, there won't be any rookies voted in this year, although the jury is still out on Ben Simmons' potential as a reserve. The Philadelphia 76ers phenom trails only Kyrie Irving, DeMar DeRozan, and Victor Oladipo in East backcourt voting.

Joining Simmons as rooks cracking the top 10 in these returns are a pair of lottery selections from last summer's draft, along with a surprise appearance from a player once considered to be a mere throw-in for the D'Angelo Russell-to-Brooklyn deal.

Player Team Pick Rank
Ben Simmons Philadelphia 76ers 1 (2016) 4th (BC)
Jayson Tatum Boston Celtics 3 7th (FC)
Lonzo Ball Los Angeles Lakers 2 8th (BC)
Kyle Kuzma Los Angeles Lakers 27 9th (FC)

It's only January, but the class of 2017 (including Simmons) is already drawing major praise for its depth and talent pool, and the aforementioned names can be safely penciled in for future All-Star nods if they're left out in the cold this time.

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