Westbrook unperturbed by snub: 'I don't play for All-Star nods'
Russell Westbrook has more important things to worry about than starting in the All-Star Game.
Despite averaging an insane triple-double and willing his team to a spot in the Western Conference playoff race, the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard wasn't named a starter for February's showcase in New Orleans. He appeared disappointed the following day, but said he just needs to move on from the snub and continue to do what he's been doing.
"It is what it is," he told reporters Friday. "It's the nature of the business, the game. Just play. I don't play for All-Star nods, All-Star bids. I play to win championships and every night I compete at a high level and you know, it'll work out. Just continue to do what I'm doing, and play the game the right way and everything else will work out."
Related: How Westbrook missed out on being voted an All-Star starter
What he's doing is putting up 30.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game for the 25-19 Thunder in his first season as the undisputed leader of the club. One of the top candidates for league MVP, Russ finished in the top West point guard spot, per player and media ranking. However, he had the same weighted score as Stephen Curry, who won the tiebreaker on the strength of fan voting.
Of course, the 28-year-old is still expected to earn his sixth All-Star nod, but as a reserve. He got his first start last year in the exhibition in Toronto, and took home his second straight ASG MVP award.
Related: 3 deserving starters snubbed by All-Star voters
As much as he appreciates participating in the event, he's more focused on achieving something else.
"It's a great honor. Being an All-Star is something you don't take for granted, but like I said, for me, I don't play to play in the All-Star (Game). There's guys that may play to play in the All-Star (Game), but I don't play to do that. I play to become a better player and play to win the championship," Westbrook said.