Kevin Durant has given Russell Westbrook the All-Star nod.
Well, sort of. It was a half-assed nod, really, but a nod nonetheless. Before the Thunder took down the Heat 112-95 on Wednesday night, Durant was asked if Westbrook should be an All-Star, to which he responded yes.
From Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman:
The All-Star reserves are going to be announced Thursday. Could you make a case for Russell (Westbrook) making the team even though he’s missed 21 games?
Yeah, if Chris Paul makes it, he should make it, too.
So let’s readjust our premise here. Durant thinks Westbrook should be an All-Star if Chris Paul is allowed to be an All-Star. Make sense?
Not really.
Paul has missed 14 games this season to Westbrook’s 22. The former has also been adamant about returning and participating in festivities. Westbrook, who is recovering from another knee injury, has given no indication when he’ll be ready to make his return at all, let alone for the All-Star Game.
There’s also the question of: Does he deserve it?
Westbrook poured in 21.3 points, six rebounds, seven assists and 1.8 steals per game when he was healthy, so the numbers would say yes. And it’s hard to argue against the numbers. At full strength, he’s one of the most entertaining players in the NBA. His athletic displays and relentless attacks were made for exhibition play.
But will he get the nod? And if he does, should he even participate if he’s able to?
This is all likely moot. Paul has a better chance of being named as a reserve than Westbrook does, even when you factor in the West needs to replace Kobe Bryant. Yet even if he was selected, there’s little reason for him to take part in the contest.
Risking further injury to play a game that doesn’t matter would be disingenuous to his immediate future in Oklahoma City. That’s once again assuming he’s even ready. If I were I him, I’d rather take the extra rest. Same goes for Paul. We want to see him in the All-Star Game as much as anyone, but taking a year off could be good following his shoulder injury.
Their absence also allows for others to step in. Point guard is a deep position. The NBA is a floor general’s league. There are more than a few capable names who could supplant Paul’s (and Westbrook’s) absence. Like Goran Dragic. Or Ty Lawson. Or Mike Conley.
More to the point, this isn’t really an issue. For Paul, yes. He’s likely to be named to the list of reserves if the coaches know he plans on being ready. For Westbrook, he won’t have to worry. There’s no way he’s named as a reserve after missing more than half the season and there being so many equally, if not more, deserving candidates.
Sorry, KD.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com.
