NEW YORK (AFP) -- LeBron James, the superstar swingman of the Cleveland Cavaliers, received the second-most ever to lead all players in the final fan balloting for the 2007 NBA All-Star Game.

James, who earned MVP honors in last season's National Basketball Association All-Star Game, ended Yao Ming's two-year reign as top vote-getter.

His total of 2.516 million which was released Thursday was exceeded only by Yao's 2.558 million in 2005.

Yao, the giant center of the Houston Rockets, finished second with 2.451 million votes, the fourth-best total of all time.

James is joined on the Eastern Conference squad by guards Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat, who received 2.020 million votes, and Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards, who garnered 1.454 million.

Arenas edged Vince Carter of the New Jersey Nets by 3,010 votes in the closest race in 17 years.

Heat centre Shaquille O'Neal (1.622 million) was selected to his 14th straight All-Star team.

Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh (1.091 million) makes his first career start alongside James at forward, rounding out the starting five for the East.

Yao has been sidelined since December with a broken bone in his leg and likely will not play in next month's game in Las Vegas.

The forwards for the West are San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (1.436 million) and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (1.616 million).

Duncan is making his 10th straight All-Star appearance and Garnett was 2003 All-Star Game MVP.

The West's backcourt is Rockets guard Tracy McGrady (1.942 million) and Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (2.138 million).

McGrady is playing in his seventh All-Star Game and Bryant is making his ninth All-Star trip.

Coaching the West will be Mike D'Antoni of the Phoenix Suns (34-8), whose team clinched his appointment with Wednesday's win at New York.

Avery Johnson of the Dallas Mavericks (34-8) coached in last year's game and is ineligible to coach this year.

The All-Star Game is February 18 at Thomas and Mack Arena.

Balloting was conducted in arenas, on the league's web site in multiple languages and in several locations in Las Vegas, among other places.

Reserves will be selected by coaches in each conference and revealed February 1.