SALT LAKE CITY — Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer didn't get voted into the NBA All-Star Game by fans.
But those who voted for the All-Star starters did the Utah Jazz stars somewhat of a favor.
The NBA just released the voting for the starting teams for the Feb. 14 game in Dallas, and the Western Conference's starting five includes guards Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash, forwards Carmelo Anthony and Tim Duncan, and center Amare Stoudemire.
But it's who was not voted in that gives the Jazz duo a better shot of being named All-Stars.
After being in a starting position for weeks, the currently inactive Tracy McGrady, who's played sparsely in six games this season, did not get the starting nod from voters.
That opens up one extra spot out West for a player having an All-Star year, such as Williams and Boozer. Neither player finished in the top 10 for voting for their respective positions — Mehmet Okur and Paul Millsap didn't rank among their position leaders, either — but Boozer and Williams are having strong seasons and will likely receive strong consideration from coaches.
It will be a tough task for either — and especially both — to make it. Stars Chris Paul, Brandon Roy, Chauncey Billups and Jason Kidd are among the other guards who didn't make it in, while Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Kevin Durant and Zach Randolph are forwards who are likely to catch some coaches' voting attention as well.
The Eastern Conference starters include LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett and Allen Iverson.
Now the NBA's coaches have to decide the final seven spots for each conference's All-Star team. They'll have to vote for two guards, two forwards, one center and two at-large players.
James received the most All-Star love, leading the way with 2,549,643 votes. Bryant was next with 2,456,224, followed by Howard (2,360,096), Wade (2,327,550) and Anthony (2,137,560).
All-Star reserves will be revealed on Jan. 28 on TNT.
e-mail: jody@desnews.com