Your Complete Guide to NBA All Star Voting 2019 Process and Results

I remember sitting in my office last year, scrolling through the NBA All-Star voting results and thinking how fascinating it is to watch future stars emerge through this unique process. The 2019 NBA All-Star voting was particularly memorable, not just for the usual suspects making the cut, but for how it highlighted emerging talents that coaches had been whispering about. Speaking of which, I recall coming across an interesting story about NLEX Road Warriors coach Yeng Guiao during one of his coaching clinics in Apalit, Pampanga. Without batting an eyelash, he described Jamie Malonzo as a 'future star'—a moment that stuck with me because it shows how the basketball world's eyes are always scanning for the next big thing, much like how fans approach All-Star voting.

The 2019 All-Star voting process kicked off on Christmas Day 2018, which felt like a perfect gift for basketball enthusiasts. As someone who's followed this for years, I've seen the system evolve, and this year's setup was no exception. Fans accounted for 50% of the vote, while current players and a media panel each contributed 25%. That balance always strikes me as a smart move—it keeps the fan excitement alive but prevents it from turning into a pure popularity contest. I spent hours analyzing the initial returns, and by January 3, 2019, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo were already leading their respective conferences. LeBron, in particular, had amassed over 1.08 million votes at that point, which didn't surprise me given his global appeal. What did catch my attention, though, was seeing Luka Dončić, then a rookie, climbing the charts so quickly. It reminded me of Guiao's confidence in Malonzo—sometimes, you just know when a player has that special spark.

As the voting progressed into mid-January, the numbers kept pouring in. By January 10, LeBron's tally had jumped to 2.08 million votes, with Giannis close behind at 1.87 million. I've always leaned toward appreciating the underdogs, so I found myself rooting for players like Derrick Rose, who was making a stunning comeback narrative in the Western Conference guards category. Rose ended up with 698,086 votes in the second returns, and I'll admit, I was among the many fans hoping he'd make it. The emotional connection fans have with players like him is something the voting process captures beautifully, and it's why I believe the fan vote component is crucial, despite some critics arguing it should be reduced.

The final results, announced on January 24, 2019, saw LeBron leading all vote-getters with 4.62 million votes—a staggering number that reflects his enduring legacy. Giannis wasn't far behind with 4.37 million, and in the East, Kyrie Irving topped the guards with 3.91 million. In the West, Stephen Curry and James Harden rounded out the backcourt starters, which felt right to me given their explosive seasons. But what really stood out was how international players shone; Luka Dončić finished with over 4.24 million votes, securing a starting spot and proving that the league's global reach is stronger than ever. It's moments like these that make me think back to Guiao's comment in Pampanga. He saw Malonzo's potential early, and in the All-Star voting, we see fans and experts alike identifying future stars in real-time. That blend of intuition and data is what makes basketball so compelling.

Looking at the reserves, selected by the coaches, I noticed names like Bradley Beal and Nikola Jokić—players who might not have the same flashy vote totals but deserve recognition for their consistent performances. As a fan of the game's strategic side, I appreciate that the coaches' picks often highlight the unsung heroes. For instance, Russell Westbrook made it as a reserve with 2.59 million fan votes, showing that even if he didn't start, his impact was undeniable. The total voting participation hit around 65 million ballots submitted, a 15% increase from 2018, which tells me the NBA's efforts to engage fans through digital platforms are paying off. I spent a good chunk of time voting myself, using the NBA app and social media, and it felt more seamless than in previous years.

In the end, the 2019 All-Star voting wasn't just about the big names; it was a snapshot of the league's evolving landscape. Young talents like Dončić and established stars like LeBron shared the spotlight, and for someone like me who's been covering this for a decade, it was a refreshing mix. I can't help but draw parallels to Guiao's insight in that Apalit clinic—identifying future stars is part art, part science, and the voting process embodies that perfectly. As we look ahead, I hope the NBA continues to tweak the system to keep it fair and exciting, because moments like Rose's near-miss or Dončić's rise are what make us fall in love with the game all over again.