Despite the mediocre performance of his Houston Rockets, Chinese center Yao Ming remains the top vote-getter in fan ballotting for the National Basketball Association All-Star game.

In the third returns announced on Thursday, Yao had received 1,888,533 votes, putting him well on his way to a third All-Star selection in as many seasons with the Rockets.

He has a 1.6 million-vote cushion over Sacramento's Brad Miller among Western Conference centers.

He also has received more than 70,000 votes more than Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal, the leader in the Eastern Conference.

The All-Star Game will be played on February 20 in Denver, Colorado.

Minnesota's Kevin Garnett (1,545,544) and San Antonio's Tim Duncan (1,224,697) pace Western Conference forwards, with Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki a distant third (631,226).

Houston's Tracy McGrady (1,469,005) and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers (1,362,409) lead Western Conference guards. Phoenix guard Steve Nash, who has helped lead the Suns to a NBA-best record of 31-5, is third at the position with 770,268 votes.

Like Yao, O'Neal also has a commanding advantage at his position, leading Detroit center Ben Wallace by more than 1.25 million votes.

Vince Carter, recently acquired by the New Jersey Nets, leads forwards in the East with 1,294,646 votes. He has a lead of more than 175,000 votes over Orlando's Grant Hill, a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year. Indiana forward Jermaine O'Neal, who served a 15-game suspension for punching a fan at Detroit, is third at the position with 971,019 votes, more than 147,000 behind Hill.

Among Eastern Conference guards, Philadelphia's Allen Iverson (1,154,074) took the lead from Cleveland's LeBron James (1,151,688). Miami's Dwyane Wade is third (850,845).

Voting continues through January 25 and the starters will be announced on February 3.

(Agencies)