NEW YORK CITY -NBA greats Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady lead all vote-getters after NBA fans have cast the first batch of ballots for the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, narrowly outpacing Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, and Lebron James. While neither Ming nor McGrady have played professional basketball in years, a strange clause in the collective bargaining agreement assures the two a place in the starting lineup should the voting hold.”I think it’s just great for the game. I am so happy for these guys,” remarked NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who spoke to reporters via phone from outside a Scrabble tournament he was attending.

Sources confirmed that Derrick Rose and Joe Johnson were also among the leading vote-earners, while several fans have also mounted an impressive online campaign to nominate Vince Carter. At press time, Tim Duncan had zero votes.