2020 NBA All Star Voting Results and How to See Your Favorite Players Make the Cut

As I sat watching the 2020 NBA All-Star voting results unfold, I couldn't help but draw parallels between the fierce competition for starting spots and the boxing world I've followed for decades. The recent announcement about Manny Pacquiao's 16th fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena—making him the most frequent fighter in that 17,000-seat venue—reminded me how certain athletes become synonymous with iconic stages. Similarly, the NBA All-Star game represents basketball's grandest stage where legends cement their status and new stars announce their arrival.

The voting process itself felt like a 12-round championship bout, with fans passionately campaigning for their favorites across social media platforms. LeBron James securing his position as Western Conference captain with 6,275,459 votes didn't surprise me—he's become the Manny Pacquiao of basketball in terms of sustained excellence and fan appeal. Having covered sports for over fifteen years, I've noticed how certain venues and events become measuring sticks for greatness. The MGM Grand has hosted Pacquiao 16 times because he consistently delivers spectacular performances, much like how All-Star veterans like LeBron have made the game their personal showcase year after year.

What fascinated me most about this year's voting was the emergence of Luka Dončić as a Western Conference starter in his second season. The 21-year-old sensation garnered 4,242,984 votes, demonstrating how quickly new talent can capture the public's imagination. This rapid ascent reminds me of how young boxing champions sometimes burst onto the scene, though rarely with the same immediate fan adoration. The difference in voting mechanisms between sports strikes me as particularly interesting—boxing matches are determined by promoters and networks, while NBA All-Stars are chosen directly by fans, players, and media in a democratic process that gives us multiple perspectives on player value.

The Eastern Conference results told an equally compelling story. Giannis Antetokounmpo leading with 5,902,286 votes reflects his global appeal and dominant playing style that transcends traditional basketball markets. Having attended three All-Star games personally, I can attest that the energy surrounding international stars has intensified remarkably over the past decade. The 17,000-seat venue reference from the boxing world makes me appreciate the scale of NBA All-Star weekend even more—while the MGM Grand accommodates 17,000 spectators, the United Center in Chicago hosted over 20,000 fans for the 2020 game, creating an even more electric atmosphere.

I've always believed that All-Star selections reveal as much about fan culture as they do about player performance. Trae Young's inclusion as an Eastern Conference starter with 2,066,924 votes, despite his team's mediocre record, shows how individual brilliance can overshadow team success in these contests. This contrasts sharply with boxing, where fighters' records heavily influence their opportunities. The 46-year-old Pacquiao still headlining major events is exceptional in combat sports, while in basketball, we see veterans like Chris Paul (1,362,175 votes) occasionally making the cut alongside much younger players.

The snubs and near-misses often generate the most interesting conversations among basketball insiders. Devin Booker failing to secure a spot despite averaging 27.1 points per game at the time of voting raised eyebrows throughout the league. In my view, the voting system, while imperfect, creates compelling narratives that fuel discussions throughout the season. The three-component voting structure—weighing fan, player, and media input—generally produces balanced results, though I'd personally adjust the weighting to give players slightly more influence.

Looking at the complete roster reveals fascinating patterns about positional value evolution. The inclusion of multiple players who defy traditional position labels reflects how basketball has transformed during my years covering the sport. The 12-round bout reference from boxing makes me think about how NBA All-Star selection represents its own kind of marathon—players building their cases throughout the first half of the season before the final voting determines who makes the cut.

As someone who has analyzed sports voting patterns for years, I find the geographic distribution of support particularly revealing. International players received unprecedented support this year, with Joel Embiid (1,364,667 votes) and Pascal Siakam (1,247,814 votes) demonstrating the NBA's growing global footprint. This international appeal now rivals even major boxing events, which have traditionally drawn significant worldwide attention for fighters like Pacquiao.

The ultimate value of All-Star selections extends far beyond the game itself. Starting positions become permanent entries in player legacies and contract incentives—something I wish more casual fans understood when casting ballots. Having spoken with numerous players over the years, I can confirm that these selections matter deeply to athletes, often more than they publicly admit. The pride in being chosen resonates similarly to how boxers feel about headlining legendary venues like the MGM Grand repeatedly throughout their careers.

What continues to impress me about the NBA's approach to All-Star voting is how successfully they've balanced tradition with innovation. The digital voting platforms have made the process more accessible than ever, while maintaining the essence of what makes these selections meaningful. As the 2020 game approached, the selected players represented a compelling mix of established superstars and emerging talents—a testament to the league's health and the intelligence of the voting process. The parallel with Pacquiao's 16th appearance at the MGM Grand underscores how special consistent excellence remains across different sports, even as new generations rise to challenge the established order.