Carmelo Anthony didn't just lose his All-Star starting spot, the vote wasn't even close.
As a symbol of both his decline and his team's four-year slump, Anthony finished eighth among Eastern Conference frontcourt players when the final tally was announced Thursday.
It's the first time in eight years Anthony won't be an All-Star starter, and it occurs under a new voting format divided amongst fans (50%), players (25%) and media (25%). He was buried in the media vote, and finished overall behind youngsters Kristaps Porzingis (sixth) and Philadelphia's Joel Embiid (fourth).
LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jimmy Butler earned the starting frontcourt spots for the Eastern Conference, while Kyrie Irving and DeMar DeRozan are the guards. The game is Feb. 19 in New Orleans.
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Anthony can still get in as a reserve - which is picked by the coaches - but he's competing against Porzingis, Kevin Love, Dwyane Wade and Paul George, among others.
The media voted Anthony as 12th in his category. Players and fans each had him sixth.
Carmelo Anthony celebrates a basket during the 2013 NBA All-Star game.
(LUCY NICHOLSON/REUTERS)The forward entered Thursday's game against the Wizards averaging 22 points with his lowest shooting percentage (42.9) since his rookie season in 2003-04. His assists, rebounds and minutes are all down from last season, and his defense remains a common critique.
Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek - as you might expect - backed his star.
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"I think he's been great for us," Hornacek said. "The leadership he lends to the guys out there. Coming here, we didn't know what to expect. Does he play any defense? I think he's in the right position a lot of times. So he knows how to play the game. He's in on the weak side when he's supposed to. So that's all been very positive. And I've seen enough great players in the days to see, he gets the ball, you pretty much think it's gonna go in. Even tough shots that he takes, you're still going, 'Okay, that didn't look like it was a great shot.' But you still think it's going to go in every time because he's such a great scorer. So I think he's been great for us."
Anthony appreciates the All-Star experience more than most, and he's been lobbying for votes on Twitter for weeks. Two years ago, he put off knee surgery just to play in the game that was hosted by the Garden. He's played in nine All-Star games overall, as a starter and reserve for both conferences.
So long as he's healthy, Porzingis is expected to participate again in the Rising Stars Challenge.
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