Wade still 2nd in All-Star voting

MIAMI — It is becoming increasingly evident that the opinions of the media and players will decide whether Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade emerges as a starter in the Feb. 17 NBA All-Star Game.

For the second time in as many weeks, Wade stands second in the latest release of fan voting for All-Star starters, behind only Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving, and well ahead of Charlotte Hornets point guard Kemba Walker.

Wade, in his 16th and final season amid his “One Last Dance” retirement tour, has not made the AllStar Game since 2016.

All-Star voting concludes Jan. 21.

The lone remaining fan voting update will be released Jan. 17, with the AllStar starters to be announced Jan. 24 and the reserves Jan. 31.

Unlike in previous years, the fan balloting counts only as 50 percent of the overall selection process for starters, which is tabulated alongside a 25 percent weighted vote from media and 25 percent weighted vote from players.

Wade, 36, is one of only six guards with at least one million fan votes, joined by Irving, Stephen Curry, Derrick Rose, James Harden and Russell Westbrook. He stands 14th overall in the fan voting, which is part of the process to determine 10 starters.

The only other Heat player among the Top 10 in the voting among guards or frontcourt players is sidelined point guard Goran Dragic, who is ninth among East guards.

After the combined fanmedia-player balloting determines the two guards and three frontcourt starters from each conference, coaches then will determine seven reserves from each conference.

Fans may submit one full ballot each day, with five “2-for-1 Days” that will have votes on those dates counting twice, including Friday and then Jan. 21.

The All-Star Game will follow last year’s format: The two team captains will draft rosters from the pool of players voted as starters and reserves in each conference, making their picks regardless of conference affiliation. The captains will be the All-Star starter from each conference who receives the most fan votes in his conference.