Unless something drastic happens, Kobe Bryant will be playing as a starter for the 2016 NBA All-Star Game in Toronto in February.

After the first returns came in, figures show the retirement-bound Lakers star owns a huge 719,235 votes per ESPN. Warriors’ star Stephen Curry is a distant second with 510,202, while Cavaliers forward LeBron James received 357,937 which is barely half of the votes Bryant got.

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With that said, Bryant is likely to be at the game and the only thing that could perhaps prevent him from playing his 18th and probably last All-Star game is a “major” injury, which hopefully will not happen.

Bryant was a bit shocked at the voting, though it was something that doesn't come as a surprise. Being the big star that he is throughout the NBA and the fact that he is set for retirement, it was perhaps only the five-time NBA champion who was surprised at it.

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"Listen, I was making a little coffee run this morning, got some gas and decided to just go on Instagram and peruse," Bryant said, "and [I] saw the damn votes, and I was like, 'What the hell?' Shocked doesn't do it justice."

Bryant will be playing as a forward, the first time for him as an All-Star, considering he had been playing as a guard in previous appearances. He will likely play alongside Kevin Durant, who came in second in the Western Conference frontcourt players voted in with 349,473.

This means that there would be no need for special treatment necessary for Bryant.

Earlier this month, NBA commissioner Adam Silver hinted that Bryant should be in the All-Star Game and the he would try to do something to make sure he and the NBA fans witness Bryant’s final NBA All-Star game via the LA Times.

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