Russell Westbrook is the best non-starter in NBA All-Star Game history
JAN 20 2017 | UPDATED JAN 24
JAN 20 2017 | UPDATED JAN 24
I planned to refresh my analysis of the relationship between NBA All-Star voting and player performance in the coming weeks (and I still do, with some refinements to last year's methodology). But last week's announcement that Russell Westbrook will not be starting the 2017 All-Star Game warrants a quick hit.
Through 45 games, Westbrook is averaging 30.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game. According to Elias Sports Bureau, it's the third-latest any player in NBA history has averaged a triple-double, behind Oscar Robertson's 1963-1964 (67 games) and 1961-1962 (when he did so for the full season)[1].
Through 45 games, Westbrook is averaging 30.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game. According to Elias Sports Bureau, it's the third-latest any player in NBA history has averaged a triple-double, behind Oscar Robertson's 1963-1964 (67 games) and 1961-1962 (when he did so for the full season)[1].
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Westbrook finished third in fan voting behind Stephen Curry and James Harden for the Western Conference's two starting backcourt spots[2]. He finished first among fellow players and the media – enough to tie Curry and Harden in the NBA's new fan (50%) - player (25%) - media (25%) weighted score – but the tiebreaker deferred back to the fan vote, making Westbrook the odd man out.
By certain measures, Westbrook is having the best season of any player in NBA history not voted into the starting lineup[3]. Interestingly, had Harden been the odd man out, he would have owned the third-best season of any player in history not voted to start[4].
Check out this year's Super Bowl Box probabilities and check back in a couple of weeks for more on the NBA All-Star Game
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Footnotes
[1] Robertson played 79 games in 1961-1962.
[2] In 2013, the NBA switched from two guards, two forwards, and one center to two backcourt players and three frontcourt players for each conference's starting lineup.
[3] The 1975 All-Star Game was the first in which fans voted for the starters. The first NBA All-Star Game was played in 1951. "History" in the title technically references the voting era.
[4] WAR and Win Shares reflect full-season projections for 2017 and assume Westbrook and Harden maintain their current performance and share of games and minutes played.
[1] Robertson played 79 games in 1961-1962.
[2] In 2013, the NBA switched from two guards, two forwards, and one center to two backcourt players and three frontcourt players for each conference's starting lineup.
[3] The 1975 All-Star Game was the first in which fans voted for the starters. The first NBA All-Star Game was played in 1951. "History" in the title technically references the voting era.
[4] WAR and Win Shares reflect full-season projections for 2017 and assume Westbrook and Harden maintain their current performance and share of games and minutes played.
The data source for this article is basketball-reference.com. Data was compiled and analyzed by ELDORADO. All charts and graphics herein were created by ELDORADO.
ELDORADO | Berkeley, CA | New York, NY
eldo.co | @eldo_co
ELDORADO | Berkeley, CA | New York, NY
eldo.co | @eldo_co
