Russell Westbrook On NBA All-Star Game: “Never Thought I Would Ever Be Voted In As A Starter”

The NBA All-Star game tips off on Valentine’s Day and for Oklahoma City Thunder fans the anticipation is sweet as they await seeing Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook take the floor together as starters for the West.

It’s hard to believe, but Russell Westbrook is still in shock that he was voted in as a starter. “It's a blessing,” Westbrook said in an All-Star press conference. “I honestly never thought I would ever be voted in as a starter."

Westbrook and Durant were voted in the top five, securing them both starting positions and giving them an opportunity to experience the mania together.

“Doing it alongside my teammate is even better,” Durant told Thunder writer Nick Gallo upon hearing the honor. “It’s great to be back amongst the guys at the top of the league.”

Although this is the first time the pair has made the starting line-up together, it's far from their first showing. This year will be Durant’s seventh appearance and fifth start and Westbrook’s fifth appearance and first start.

In Durant’s four starts, he averaged 34.5 points per game, but after a 41-point game last year, Westbrook is the reigning All-Star MVP.

Sunday’s 7:00 p.m. matchup between East and West will be the 65th anniversary of the All-Star game and the first year that it won’t be played in the U.S. Instead, it will tip off at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

For the complete list of events during All-Star weekend click the following link: NBA All-Star 2016 Complete Schedule of Events

Notes:

- Each All-Star has their own emoji. You can view any players personal symbol by hashtagging their name on Twitter. Chris Bosh is listed for the East but is reportedly out for the game with a strained calf. Al Horford will serve as his replacement.

- On Friday, Durant and Westbrook spent time coaching hundreds of Toronto during Jr. NBA Day.