Jimmy Butler Is 4th In All-Star Voting Among East Guards

(CBS) Bulls wing Jimmy Butler is playing the best basketball of his career and on a path to being an All-Star again.

He's not on track to be a starter, though.

In Thursday's release of the second All-Star voting returns, Butler was fourth among the Eastern Conference guards with about 220,00 votes. Miami's Dwyane Wade was the runaway leader among the backcourt, with around 562,000 votes. Despite missing most of the season with a knee injury, Cleveland's Kyrie Irving was second with about 271,000 votes.

Butler's averaging 22.1 points, tops on the Bulls and 12th in the league. He's also averaging 4.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Butler made his first All-Star team last season.

Also in the backcourt, Bulls guard Derrick Rose was seventh, despite being one of the worst players in the NBA statistically.

In the frontcourt, Bulls big man Pau Gasol with fifth in the second returns. Gasol is averaging 16.7 points and 10.7 rebounds, seventh in the NBA.

Fans vote on the starters, while coaches choose the reserves. The All-Star Game is Feb. 14 in Toronto.

Lakers wing Kobe Bryant leads everyone with 1.26 million votes, while Warriors point guard Stephen Curry is second with about 925,00 votes.

Here are the full returns on the All-Star voting.