The 14 NBA All-Star Reserves, as voted on by the coaches, were revealed last night and, as always, there were some All-Star caliber players who did not make the cut.
Among the biggest names not headed to Los Angeles for the 2018 NBA All-Star Game is Oklahoma City Thunder forward, Paul George.
George, who has been named to four All-Star during his career, found out the news about an hour before the Thunder took the court against the Brooklyn Nets. He proceeded to score 16 points in the first quarter alone, and finished with 28 and nine rebounds in OKC's 109-108 win.
After the game, the 27-year old forward said, per ESPN, "It wasn't going to put me in a funk or cause me to be in a lost place or a sunken place," George said. "I didn't make All-Star. It is what it is. I've got a longer break in between the season now."
Russell Westbrook was also asked about his teammate missing the All-Star game, which he described as "unbelievable" and "outrageous." In his response, Westbrook threw shade at the Warriors for getting four All-Stars and Damian Lillard, who recently voiced frustration that he's repeatedly the odd man out when the All-Stars are announced.
Per ESPN:
"Unbelievable. I think it's just outrageous, in my opinion," Westbrook said, demonstrably closing his eyes and shaking his head. "I don't know who else made the team but got four people from one team, you've got guys complaining about getting snubbed until they get in, you've got guys just talking about it all the time.
"But the guys that deserve it -- should be in -- are not. I just don't understand. Doesn't make any sense."
"Guy leads the league in steals, competes every night, top two at his position. Don't make any sense, regardless of anything else," Westbrook, who was named to his seventh All-Star Game, said of George. "If you're going by All-Stars, there are certain All-Stars in this league. Everybody's not an All-Star. Just because you get voted in doesn't mean you're an All-Star. I just think it's outrageous. But you know, it is what it is."
So far this season George is averaging 20.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, and he's leading the league in steals and deflections.