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Yao out of 2010 all-star ballot

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-11-11 09:23

NEW YORK: The Houston Rockets center and seven-time NBA all-star player Yao Ming was dropped off the candidate list as the 2010 All-Star Game ballot was unveiled in Dallas on Tuesday.

The Ballot was unveiled during a special tipoff event in Dallas, the host city for the NBA All-Star 2010.

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NBA all-star voting will begin on Tuesday at 12:30 pm (GMT1730). The 2010 NBA All-Star Game, which will air live on TNT and ESPN radio in the US, and reach fans in more than 200 countries and regions in more than 40 languages, will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before more than 80,000 expected spectators.

Chinese star Yao was sidelined for the whole season after undergoing surgery to cure the hairline fracture in his left foot.

Yao's compatriot Yi Jianliang, the forward of New  Jersey Nets, also disappeared from the list after his debut last year.

Yi was subject to injury and out of action last week, who sprained right knee ligament in the game against Bobcats last Monday and is expected recover within a month.

Except for Yao, familiar names like Shaquille  O'Neal, Ray Allen, Jameer Nelson, Dwyane Wade, Mo Williams, LeBron James, Josh Smith, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant still prevail in this year's list.

There are several ways fans can cast their votes, including vote on website and through mobile phone. Starters will be announced live on TNT on Thursday, January 21, 2010.

The NBA All-Star ballot lists 120 players - 60 each from the Eastern and Western conferences - with 24 guards, 24 forwards, and 12 centers from each conference comprising the list.

Voters can select two guards, two forwards and one center from each conference. The 120 players on the ballot were selected by a panel of media reporters who cover the NBA regularly.