Russell Westbrook Named Candidate for All-Star Skills Challenge

Fans can vote for the Thunder point guard to be one of five participants in the event.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:10 pm

By: News On 6

Russell Westbrook Named Candidate for All-Star Skills Challenge

Originally Published: Jan 27, 2011 3:42 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY – Thunder fans can vote for OKC point guard Russell Westbrook to compete in the 2011 Taco Bell All-Star Skills Challenge.

Fans can log on to www.nba.com/chooseyoursquad and vote for four of the eight candidates to compete in the contest.

The four players receiving the most votes will join New Orleans point guard Chris Paul to compete in the Skills Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 19.

Voting for the participants runs through 11:59 p.m. eastern time on Feb. 14.

Westbrook joins Stephen Curry of Golden State, Baron Davis of the Clippers, Tyreke Evans of Sacramento, Derek Fisher of the Lakers, Tony Parker of San Antonio, Derrick Rose of Chicago and John Wall of Washington as the potential candidates.

The Skills Challenge, which started in 2003, features players competing in an obstacle course which consists of dribbling skills, passing skills and shooting.

Westbrook competed in last year’s Skills Challenge, but lost out to Phoenix’s Steve Nash, who has won the competition twice.

The event is part of All-Star Saturday Night presented by State Farm, which also features the 3-point contest, the Shooting Stars competition and the slam dunk contest.

Coverage of the event begins at 7 p.m. Saturday night on TNT.