NBA All-Stars Topped by Rookie Hill

Detroit’s Grant Hill is the fans’ favorite in NBA All-Star balloting, becoming the first rookie to finish first in the voting.

Getting 1,289,585 votes, Hill edged Orlando’s Shaquille O’Neal in final results of fan balloting Thursday even though he has played in only 25 pro games.

Joining Hill, a forward, as Eastern Conference starters for the Feb. 12 All-Star game at Phoenix are O’Neal at center, Chicago’s Scottie Pippen at the other forward spot and Orlando’s Anfernee Hardaway and Indiana’s Reggie Miller at the guard positions.

Among the Western Conference starters is one player who doesn’t even start for his own team--Phoenix guard Dan Majerle. The Suns’ Charles Barkley and Seattle’s Shawn Kemp were voted in at forward, Houston’s Hakeem Olajuwon at center and Golden State’s Latrell Sprewell at the other guard spot.

Orlando’s Brian Hill, whose team has the best record in the league, will coach the East team. The West will be led by the coach whose team is leading the conference as of Sunday, probably Phoenix’s Paul Westphal.

Coaches will select seven all-star reserves for each team. They will be announced Tuesday.