SB Nation Cleveland - NBA All-Star Voting: No Cavaliers In Sight As League Releases First Returnshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48841/cleveland-fave.png2010-12-17T12:50:20-06:00http://cleveland.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16463102010-12-17T12:50:20-06:002010-12-17T12:50:20-06:00NBA All-Star Voting: No Cavaliers In Sight As League Releases First Returns
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> knew they'd face an uphill battle back to respectability and prominence once <span>LeBron James</span> left them in free agency this summer, and <a href="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/12/16/allstar-ballot-results/index.html" target="new">the first NBA All-Star voting results</a>, which the league released yesterday, reflect that fact. Despite having guard <span>Mo Williams</span>, forwards <span>J.J. Hickson</span> and <span>Antawn Jamison</span>, and center <span>Anderson Varejao</span> on <a href="http://www.nba.com/2010/news/11/18/all-star-ballots-unveiled/index.html" target="blank">the ballot</a>, no Cavalier ranked in the top ten at his respective position in the earliest fan voting.</p>
<p>The fans, who select the starting five for the annual event via voting on the internet, in NBA arenas, and via text message, made James a starter each of his last five years in Cleveland. Without him in wine and gold, though, the fans have not taken much interest in the Cavaliers.</p>
<p>However, one must note that none of the four Cleveland players on the ballot really merits consideration as an All-Star. Williams leads the team in scoring at 14.4 per game, but is shooting 39.8 percent from the floor. Jamison hasn't shot much better, at 40.6 percent, and his per-game averages of 13.2 points and 5.6 rebounds rank among the worst of his otherwise distinguished professional career. Hickson, expected to take on a larger role in the offense due to James' departure, has disappointed, contributing 10.4 points and 5.1 rebounds. One can argue, then, that Varejao is the most deserving Cavalier: the veteran big man ranks first among rotation players in field-goal shooting (53.8 percent) while putting up 9 point, 9.6 rebounds, and one blocked shot per night. Sadly, he's listed on the same ballot with <span>Dwight Howard</span> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a>, who leads the entire Eastern Conference with 611,561 votes.</p>
<p>Keep an eye on this StoryStream for more All-Star voting results pertaining to the Cavaliers as they become available.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/2010/12/17/2326519/nba-all-star-voting-no-cavaliers-in-sight-as-league-releases-firstEvan Dunlap