Why did Harden and Westbrook fail to make the All-Star? This is a highly controversial topic. Both of them had outstanding performances this past season, but in this year's All-Star vote, they were outdone by other players. This sparked a heated debate about the All-Star selection criteria. Let's start with Harden. As last season's leading scorer and assist leader, Harden's stats are unquestionable. However, his performances this season have not been as good as they could have been. He averaged less than 20 points per game and his offensive efficiency declined. This has led many to question whether he still has All-Star caliber quality. On the other hand, Westbrook has also been very good on the field.
His assist stats are still high and his contribution to the team cannot be overlooked. However, he lacks the dominance that some other players possess. His shooting percentage is not high, and his three-point shooting is unacceptably low. That's one of the reasons why he didn't make the All-Star. In addition to this, there are a few other players who are also not selected as All-Stars, such as Irving. Despite his technical skills, Owen has suffered injuries over the past period that have affected his playing time and performances. In addition, he also caused controversy because of some controversial remarks, which also had a certain impact on his image. Overall, the All-Star selection is a result of comprehensive consideration.
In addition to individual data and performance, a player's influence, leadership and the team's wins and losses are also one of the criteria. While Harden and Westbrook's past accomplishments can't be overlooked, it's understandable that they didn't make the All-Star selection given a combination of performances this season and other factors. Of course, for Harden and Westbrook, not being selected as an All-Star is certainly a loss and humiliation. But as fans, we should also look at this rationally. All-Star selection isn't just based on personal data and past accomplishments, there are plenty of other factors to consider. So, let's pause, watch the other players perform and cheer for their selection.
At the same time, I also hope that Harden and Westbrook can continue to work hard in the next games to prove their strength and value.