(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

[pullquote quote="I’m just so thankful for the fans..." credit="Dwight Howard"]Last night it was announced that Dwight Howard was the leading vote getter in the Eastern conference and will be starting at center for the fourth consecutive year at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game on February 20th in LA.

In a press release from the Orlando Magic, Howard expressed his thanks to the fans for all of their votes:

I’m always thankful for all of the people out there who voted for me. It’s a blessing to have that kind of support. My first year I didn’t have a lot of votes, but every year since then it’s just kept on increasing more and more. I’m just so thankful for the fans because I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support.’

He also added:

It’s an honor just to be there at the game and a part of the whole weekend. The way I look at it, the All-Star Game is completely for the fans. It’s a way of giving back for me. I just look at it as a blessing.

In addition to Howard, the Eastern team will consist of Miami’s Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, Chicago’s Derrick Rose and New York’s Amare Stoudemire in the starting lineup for the Eastern Conference. Kobe Bryant, the overall leading vote-getter, will start for the West along with Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony. Yao Ming was voted in as the starting center, but won’t play because of a foot injury. Pau Gasol, Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki are the likely candidates to replace Yao.

Congrats to Superman and the rest of the Magic for a solid year…….so far.