China's Yao Ming overtook Shaquille O'Neal in the final balloting and will be the starting centre for the Western Conference in the NBA All-Star Game for the second straight year. 

The popularity of the 7-ft 5-in Yao has been proven in All-Star fan balloting over the last two years, with fans giving him more votes than the sport's biggest star, relegating O'Neal to reserve status in the league's mid-season showcase.

After the third returns were announced earlier this month, Yao trailed O'Neal by roughly 26,000 votes.

But the second-year centre of the Houston Rockets may have benefited from Internet voting that opens the balloting to the growing multitudes of NBA fans in Yao's native China.

Statistically, it should have been no contest. Despite his injury, O'Neal remains one of the most dominant players in the game, averaging 19.6 points and 11.3 rebounds for the Los Angeles Lakers. Yao is averaging 16.3 points and 9.3 rebounds.

Yao received 1,484,531 votes. O'Neal collected 1,453,286 but should make his eighth All-Star appearance -- and come off the bench in his hometown.

The 53rd All-Star Game is on February 15 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It will feature the same 10 elected starters as last year's game.

The leading vote-getter again was Toronto Raptors swingman Vince Carter, who received 2,127,183 votes and will start at forward for the Eastern Conference. It is the fourth straight time Carter has been the league's top vote-getter. This year, he outpolled Detroit Pistons centre Ben Wallace by nearly 150,000 votes.

Michael Jordan and Julius Erving are the only others to receive the most votes at least three times.

Joining Carter and Wallace in the Eastern Conference frontcourt is Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal.

The backcourt features Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers and Tracy McGrady of the Orlando Magic.

The other Western Conference starters are guards Kobe Bryant of the Lakers and Steve Francis of the Rockets and forwards Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves and two-time NBA MVP Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs.

(China Daily January 31, 2004)