Giannis Antetokounmpo has taken the lead in East All-Star fan voting

Year after year, the total fan votes for the All-Star game account for 50 percent of the total vote to determine whether or not a player will make it. It is a terrific way for fans to show appreciation for their favorite players, and Giannis Antetokounmpo has to be feeling the love after the new returns.

In the third and final vote tally, Antetokounmpo led all Eastern Conference players with 5,970,196 total fan votes. Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets led the East in the previous two iterations of the vote, but Antetokounmpo fans helped the Greek Freak surpass him. Antetokounmpo is currently in second place across the entire NBA, as he trailed only LeBron James, who had 6,506,682. If this is how the voting shakes out, Antetokounmpo and James would be captains for the All-Star game, something neither player is unfamiliar with. This would be Antetokounmpo’s third time in the role.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has taken the lead in East All-Star fan voting

At the end of the day, the primary goal is for Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks to secure another title, but the All-Star recognition is always nice as well. Antetokounmpo was destined to earn his seventh All-Star selection, but the honor of captain adds even more to it. Throughout his first two stints as a captain, Antetokounmpo has gone back and forth with James to pick their respective teams from the other All-Star selections. It has always been fun to see these two on the same screen as they go down the list and select their teammates.

Antetokounmpo has been on the winning side of things during the past two All-Star games and even took home the All-Star Game MVP in 2021. Of course, that was when he scored 35 points on a perfect 16-for-16 shooting in a 170-150 victory as a member of Team LeBron. As a member of Team LeBron once again, Antetokounmpo made a run at taking home the honors again last season with 30 points, but Steph Curry took it home after he dropped an eye-catching 50 points, which was beyond justifiable. After winning the All-Star Game on LeBron’s team over the past two seasons, it appears Antetokounmpo may be on the other side of the court this time.

As always, it should be thrilling to watch Antetokounmpo in the big game. The question is whether or not he will be joined by any other Bucks this year. Both Brook Lopez and Jrue Holiday have been making cases to earn the second All-Star nod in their respective careers, and it would be great to see one or both of them get the recognition they deserve.

Stay tuned to see if any other Buck joins Antetokounmpo in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.