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NEW YORK — Chris Bosh's video campaign appears to be working.
The Toronto Raptors captain was third among Eastern Conference forwards after the fourth all-star ballot returns, announced Thursday.
Bosh recently posted a humourous video on his website in which he plays a Texas car salesman to drum up support for his all-star selection.
"That was my goal when I made the video, I'm just happy that a lot of people like it and it's been successful and it's working," Bosh said. "That just goes to show you the power of the Internet."
Bosh received 105,356 votes over the past seven days to remain third with 516,669 votes, more than doubling his lead over fourth-place Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics since the last ballot return.
Celtics star Kevin Garnett leads Eastern forwards with 1,756,251 votes. Cleveland's LeBron James is next with 1,564,974 votes.
Bosh made the video over the Christmas break with the help of his girlfriend and his brother Joel, a senior forward at Alabama State. The increase in hits on his website — www.chris-bosh.com — has caused the site to crash twice in the past week.
The all-star starters will be announced Jan. 24.
Bosh, a two-time all-star, will likely be a coach's pick to the Eastern Conference team for the Feb. 17 game in New Orleans. The reserves will be announced Jan. 31.
Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash of Victoria, meanwhile, remains fourth among Western guards with 808,995 votes. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers leads with 1,441,333.
Miami's Dwyane Wade leads Eastern guards (1,179,889), while Orlando's Dwight Howard tops centres in the East (1,456,898).
In the Western Conference, San Antonio Spurs star Tim Duncan is the top forward (1,246,125), while Yao Ming of Houston leads the centres (1,255,263).
