Despite averaging a triple-double, Russell Westbrook didn’t get the starting nod for next month’s NBA All-Star Game (Getty)
Thursday night the starting lineups for next month’s NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans were announced, with this being the first year of a new voting formula used to determine the teams. In the past the fan vote was all that mattered, but in December the NBA announced that fan voting counts for just 50 percent of the formula used. Media voting counts for 25 percent, as will voting amongst the players themselves.
Below are the starters for both teams, with DeMar DeRozan beating out Boston’s Isaiah Thomas in the East as a result of being higher in the fan voting. Both players finished tied in the new formula used, with the fan voting serving as the tiebreaker. Final voting results can be found here.
Eastern Conference Starters:
G Kyrie Irving, Cleveland
G DeMar DeRozan, Toronto
F LeBron James, Cleveland
F Jimmy Butler, Chicago
F Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee
The 2017 Eastern Conference @NBAAllStar Starters!
@KyrieIrving
@DeMar_DeRozan
@JimmyButler
@KingJames
@Giannis_An34
Western Conference Starters
G Stephen Curry, Golden State
G James Harden, Houston
F Kevin Durant, Golden State
F Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio
F/C Anthony Davis, New Orleans
The 2017 Western Conference @NBAAllStar Starters!
The most surprising omission is Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook. No player has averaged a triple-double in an NBA season since 1962, something that Westbrook could very well do in 2016-17. Currently averaging 30.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game, Westbrook has an NBA-best 21 triple-doubles in 44 games and his scoring average is tops in the NBA.
The coaches will pick the reserves for both teams, with those names scheduled to be revealed Thursday, January 26. There’s no doubt that players such as Westbrook and Thomas will hear their names called to play in the NBA’s midseason showcase in New Orleans.
