Basketball: Steven Adams nowhere to be seen in first return of NBA All-Star fan votes

Steven Adams is having a career-best season. Photo / Photosport

The first return of fans votes for the 2018 NBA All-Stars has been released and Kiwi big man Steven Adams was a notable absentee.

It seems leading the league in offensive rebound perentage, and being second in offensive rebounds per game and offensive rating hasn't been enough to encourage the fans of the league to give Adams the nod.

Not many words necessary, but it’s the #WinningCallOfTheWeek.

💪 Steven Adams #NBAVote. pic.twitter.com/IW0RKpXplf

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 29, 2017

In voting for the All-Star starters, the fan vote counts for 50 per cent of the final mark, with 25 per cent made up of current players and the other 25 per cent made up by American basketball media.

Adams is in the middle of the best season of his young career, averaging career highs in points, steals and rebounds per game.

But while, the 24-year-old Kiwi has been overlooked by fans, teammates Paul George (fifth) and Carmelo Anthony (seventh) were in the top 10 frontcourt players in the fan vote.

The #NBAAllStar Voting First Returns for Western Conference players!

VOTE NOW: https://t.co/UjbrNUQ7Vw pic.twitter.com/haLOOJnnVd

— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) January 4, 2018

As usual, the votes threw up a few head-scratchers, with Los Angeles Lakers rookie forward Kyle Kuzma receiving 184,338 votes to sit ninth in the Western Conference frontcourt standings.

A few more surprises came up in the Western Conference guards votes, with San Antonio Spurs backup Manu Ginobili and Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball both featuring in the top 10. However, the two starting guard spots are likely to be filled by two of Stephen Curry, James Harden and Russell Westbrook.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo leads all players in fan voting, while Cleveland Cavaliers guard Isaiah Thomas received over 87,000 votes to sit seventh in voting for the Eastern Conference guards, despite having played just 19 minutes this season due to injury.

The #NBAAllStar Voting First Returns for Eastern Conference players!

VOTE NOW: https://t.co/UjbrNUQ7Vw pic.twitter.com/ltlmLAo6S9

— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) January 4, 2018

Fan voting is open until January 16 (NZ time), with the 10 All-Star starters announced on January 19 (NZ time).