Fans angry as Russell Westbrook snubbed for NBA All-Star starting role

Joe Rodgers

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Fans angry as Russell Westbrook snubbed for NBA All-Star starting role image

Although the NBA changed voting rules for the All-Star Game, the polling continues to be a popularity contest.

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Despite averaging a triple-double this season, Oklahoma City Thunder guard and MVP favourite Russell Westbrook was not named an All-Star starter for next month's exhibition game in New Orleans. 

Instead it was Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry and Houston Rockets guard James Harden getting the starting nod, the NBA announced on Thursday. 


Curry's teammate Kevin Durant, who swapped Oklahoma City for the Bay Area during the off-season, will also feature alongside San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans for the Western Conference on February 19.

Cleveland Cavaliers team-mates LeBron James and Kyrie Irving headline the Eastern Conference, who also boast Toronto Raptors' DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler and Milwaukee Bucks centre Giannis Antetokounmpo in the starting five.

The NBA announced in December that in addition to the usual fan vote, players and members of the basketball media will now have a say in who gets selected.

NBA fans accounted for 50 per cent of the vote total for All-Star starters. Players and a panel of media members, who are allowed just one ballot each, accounted for the other 50 percent.


 

The East and West All-Star reserves will be announced next Thursday and are chosen by NBA head coaches.

Last season, the West beat the East 196-173 in Toronto.

Joe Rodgers