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Why Russell Westbrook deserves to start in 2017 NBA All-Star Game

By Tamberlyn Richardson

Nov 2, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (right) attempts to foul Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (left) during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 85-83. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (right) attempts to foul Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (left) during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 85-83. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) drives the ball against Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) defending during the 2nd quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) drives the ball against Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) defending during the 2nd quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

Examining the stats:

I decided to dig into key stats for each of the top 6 vote recipients to determine who has the best argument.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPic /

I applied a ranking to the top six guards to determine who has been the best from the key statistical data. For each first place I awarded 1-point, second place received 2 points, and so on through to 6 points for sixth. With that, here’s what the stats tell us:

  • the top performing guard is Kyle Lowry
  • Irving and Lowry were the only two guards without a sixth place rank.
  • Conversely Rose and Wade had no first place finishes
  • Wade led the group with 3 sixth place ranks.
  • Irving had two first place ranks with one being because Cleveland sits in first.
  • Thomas and Lowry also had 2 first place ranks, both from individual stats.

While the game between the Celtics and Raptors (this evening) won’t determine the best point guard, it may serve to fuel some votes. Then again, the Raptors are road weary.

To that end, I realized yesterday the extent of just how brutal the Raptors road schedule has been. While the other 3 teams who made it to the Conference Finals last season played on Christmas Day, the Raptors were the lone team left off that prestigious list. Worse, their 6 game Western Conference road trip began in Utah and ended with them returning home to play Utah.

This was followed by another road game versus the Bulls. In all, those 7 road games occurred over 16 days and was a mere 12 miles short of 10,000 miles. To put that in perspective the Thunder’s January schedule (which every pundit is saying is the most difficult) will find them traveling 12,000 miles, over 30 days.  So, when you factor in the Raptors were missing arguably their top defender (Patrick Patterson) that was a lot of extra weight placed on Kyle Lowry’s shoulders who keyed all 3 road victories.

In the same time frame as Lowry’s Raptors were tasked with that heinous schedule, Thomas’ Celtics played 6 home games and 2 road games versus East teams. Irving meanwhile played his first (yes you read that correctly) game on the west coast this past Sunday in Phoenix. That was the Cavaliers second WC road game. The first was in Memphis, in a game LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie remained in Cleveland.

Now, I know I’m a Toronto native, but for my money the combination of performance, leadership and schedule difficulty has me leaning toward Lowry being the most deserving of the start.

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