Russell Westbrook voted as an All-Star Reserve, George and Anthony miss out

Prior to game activity beginning on Tuesday, January 23, NBA TV announced the All-Star Reserves with OKC Thunder Russell Westbrook making the team.

It was expected Russell Westbrook would make the 2018 NBA All-Star Game via the coaches votes for reserves.

What Thunder fans weren’t sure of is whether one or both of his OK3 partners would make the squad. Although it seemed unlikely Carmelo Anthony would get the nod, there was an outside hope Paul George would be selected.

As it turns out neither will join Westbrook, so he’ll be the lone OKC Thunder representative in the big event of All-Star Weekend.

As per a previous article, there is hope Terrance Ferguson will participate in the Rookie-Sophomore game.

There was hope he might also make the Dunk Competition. Conflicting reports have the dunk crew selection already complete, but as per below that may not be the case.

Although – there is confusion regarding the above based on Dennis Smith Jr’s tweet.

For Carmelo Anthony this will be the first time in nine seasons he won’t be on the squad after eight consecutive appearances. Anthony has played on ten previous All-Star squads.

Paul George was selected four times in his seven seasons. George not making the squad is disappointing, but getting the nod in the West is far more difficult than his old Eastern Conference.

Joining Westbrook from the West are:

• Spurs – LaMarcus Aldridge
• Wolves – Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns
• Blazers – Damian Lillard (hurray – he was long over due for this selection)
• Warriors – Draymond Green and Klay Thompson

In the Eastern Conference the seven coaches selections are:

• Wizards – John Wall and Bradley Beal
• Raptors – Kyle Lowry
• Pacers – Victor Oladipo  (cheers to the former Thunder guard making the team – well deserved)
• Knicks – Kristaps Porzingis
• Celtics – Al Horford
• Cavaliers – Kevin Love

Snubs:

Obviously, each fan base will feel their guy got left off the team, but there is a consensus among pundits certain players were snubbed. Besides Paul George the other players who missed the cut are

• Lou Williams – who kept the Clippers in the playoff chase with his outstanding scoring efforts
• Andre Drummond who has been perhaps the most successful big man in terms of production in the East
• Anyone from the fourth (very close to passing the Cavaliers) place Miami Heat. This was obviously a difficult pick given there isn’t a specific stand out on the squad. Arguments could be made for James Johnson, Goran Dragic or Hassan Whiteside.
• Chris Paul – his absence due to injury perhaps led to his not making the team. I’d argue Clint Capela was more deserving than Karl-Anthony Towns given the position of the Rockets.
• Some will opine Nikola Jokic should have made the squad, but the relapse of the Nuggets to bottom of the playoff ladder is likely why he was left off the team.

East and West Starters voted in:

East: Kyrie Irving, DeMar DeRozan, LeBron James (captain), Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid

West: Stephen Curry (captain), James Harden, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins

Team Selection announced Thursday on TNT:

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Some time between now and Thursday captains LeBron James and Steph Curry will select their teams.

TNT will announce those selections and how the teams will line up.

Aside from the teams the other participants to be decided will be Rookie- Sophomore teams and participants in the All-Star Saturday Night event.

Included in this event are the Skills Competition, Three Point Shooting Event and Dunk Contest.

Based on Dennis Smith Jr tweeting he has not been formally asked perhaps Terrance Ferguson still has a shot to make the Dunk Contest.

So Thunder Nation lets keep tweeting out our desire to get him in the competition.