NEW YORK - LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers led all players in voting for the NBA's annual All-Star Game, receiving more than 2.5 million votes, the league announced Thursday.

LeBron James

James, MVP of last year's game, garnered 2,516,049 votes, the second highest total in voting history, to earn a starting spot on the Eastern Conference team. Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets received 2,558,278 votes in 2005.

Yao led all Western Conference players with more than 2.4 million votes this time around, but he is unable to play in the February 18 game in Las Vegas due to injury.

A replacement for Yao will be named when the reserves of both teams are announced next week.

Joining James on the starting East squad will be Miami Heat star Shaquille O'Neal, who was chosen for his 14th straight All-Star Game despite missing 35 games with a knee injury, Miami's Dwyane Wade, Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh.

O'Neal's consecutive string ties him for the longest such streak in league history with Jerry West and Karl Malone.

Joining Yao on the West starting team will be Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Tracy McGrady of the Houston Rockets.

Las Vegas is the first non-NBA city to host the annual game.