NEW YORK (AFP) – NBA scoring leader Russell Westbrook, averaging a triple double this season, adopted a relaxed tone Friday about missing out on a starting spot in next month’s NBA All-Star Game.
The Oklahoma City Thunder guard was snubbed when the starting lineups were announced Thursday for the February 19 showcase of elite players in New Orleans.
Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Houston’s James Harden received the coveted Western Conference backcourt berths after they and Westbrook were level for the two spots, but he was eliminated on a fan voting tie-breaker.
‘‘It is what it is,’’ Westbrook said Friday. ‘‘That’s the nature of the business, the game. I just play. I don’t play for All-Star bids. I play to win championships and every night I compete at a high level, and it’ll work out. I just continue doing what I’m doing and play the game the right way and everything else will work out.’’
Westbrook was not in the starting lineup despite leading the NBA with 30.6 points a game, ranking second with 10.4 assists a game and grabbing 10.6 rebounds a contest.
The Thunder star could join 1960s star Oscar Robertson as the only players to average a triple double for an entire campaign and is a top candidate for the NBA season Most Valuable Player award.
‘‘In my opinion, there’s no way he should not be starting in an All-Star Game,’’ said Thunder coach Billy Donovan.
Westbrook, with an NBA-best 21 triple doubles this season, led in player and media votes, used this year in a revamped selection format. So at least his peers felt he deserved the chance to start.
‘‘Doesn’t change anything for me,’’ Westbrook said. ‘‘Being an All-Star is something you don’t take for granted. But like I said, I don’t play to play in the All-Star… I play to become a better player and to win championships.’’
