Houston Rockets' Chinese center Yao Ming still leads the NBA All-Star race in the 4th run of balloting, according to the NBA.

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers joins Yao Ming to lead the Western Conference, while Shaquille O'Neal of the Miami Heat and LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers leads the Eastern Conference in votes received after the fourth returns of the 2006 NBA All-Star balloting program.

The balloting program will conclude on Sunday, January 22. The 2006 All-Star Game will be played in Houston on Sunday, February 19th.

The All-Star starters will be announced on Thursday, February 2nd.

(CRI English January 20, 2006)