This Was Steph Curry's Reaction to Being Named an All-Star Game Starter Over Russell Westbrook

Watch Steph Curry speak just a few minutes after finding out that he was named an All-Star Game starter over Russell Westbrook.

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Through the first half of the 2016-17 NBA season, Russell Westbrook is averaging a triple-double. So the thought was that there was no way he was going to miss out on earning a starting spot in the 2017 NBA All-Star Game.

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But on Thursday night, the ASG starters were announced, and Westbrook’s name was missing from the starting lineups. Instead, James Harden and Steph Curry were given the nod over Westbrook at the guard position for the Western Conference, which means that a guy who might end up becoming the first player in decades to average a triple-double will be coming off the bench.

Westbrook’s teammates, NBA players from other teams, and fans responded accordingly by taking to social media to complain about Westbrook’s snub. It’s hard to argue against the season Harden has had—he’s also close to averaging a triple-double—but many people thought Westbrook deserved to start over Curry. There’s a good chance that he’s going to win the MVP award this season, so how is he not an ASG starter?

It’s kind of amazing, but it’s also kind of hard to knock Curry in this situation. He’s won the last two NBA MVP awards, and he’s also putting up some pretty solid stats of his own this season, averaging 25 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds for the 36-6 Warriors. So when he was asked his opinion on Westbrook getting snubbed on Thursday night, he responded by pointing out that, no matter who was named a starter for the ASG, there was going to be someone who felt left out.

"It’s a big storyline just because, like you said, those two guys are doing amazing things this year," Curry said. "And there’s only two spots that you can fill. So unfortunately, somebody was going to be left out. I’ve been on the other side of that four years ago. That’s how it goes. The fact I get to represent my team and be able to start is something I definitely appreciate."

The reserves for the ASG, who are chosen by the NBA coaches, will be announced next Thursday night. Westbrook will not get snubbed when those selections are announced. But stay tuned to hear what he thinks about not being named an ASG starter this season.

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