Emails urging people to vote for Jordan began circulating through the internal email systems of major companies as well.
This was no longer a simple fan vote; it had evolved into an "honor battle" to defend tradition.
At the center of this storm sweeping across the United States, Michael Jordan remained as calm as still water in the Chicago United Center training facility.
He gave no interviews and offered no opinion on the voting results.
He simply increased his training volume in silence, raising his daily shooting drills from one thousand attempts to fifteen hundred.
After practice, his teammate Karl Malone walked over to him and said with some concern, "Michael, those media outlets out there..."
Jordan picked up a towel and wiped away his sweat. His gaze remained utterly placid as he cut Malone off. "Karl, remember this: the height of a throne isn't determined by votes."
The moment of the final showdown had finally arrived.
The fourth and final voting round officially closed one week before the All-Star Game.
Fans around the world held their breath, waiting for the final results to be revealed.
TNT produced a special program for the occasion, inviting the two legendary superstars Magic Johnson and Larry Bird as guests to witness the announcement of the final roster.
"All right, folks, the exciting moment is here!"
Kenny Smith unfolded the final list that would determine the moods of countless people.
"First, we'll announce the players selected for this year's All-Star starting lineup!"
"Western Conference!"
"Center: Shaquille O'Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers! Final votes: 3.55 million! The undisputed Western Conference vote leader!"
"Forward: Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs! Final votes: 3.31 million!"
"Forward: Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves! Final votes: 3.25 million!"
"Guard: Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers! Final