Russell Westbrook won't start 2017 NBA All-Star Game despite averaging triple-double

Russell Westbrook is threatening to become only the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double through a season. But those historic numbers aren't enough to win him a berth in the starting line-up of next month's 2017 NBA All-Star Game, per reports.

Since two-time MVP Stephen Curry (1,848,121) and James Harden (1,771,375) received more fan votes than Westbrook (1,575,865), they won the tiebreaker for the two starting spots in the West backcourt. Amazingly, Westbrook finished No. 1 in the player and media rank categories but didn't receive enough fan votes to edge out Curry and/or Harden for a berth in the starting unit.

Unlike last year when the fans had a bigger say on the starters, votes tallied from current players and media members were also factored in before the NBA announced the final teams on Thursday. After votes from fans (50 percent), the players and media (25 percent each) were tallied, players were ranked in their respective conference by position (frontcourt and backcourt) within each of the three voting groups.

After they were ranked, each player's score was calculated on the basis of his rank from each of the three voting groups. Thereafter, the five players (three frontcourt players and two guards) with the highest score in each conference were named as starters for the 2017 NBA All-Star Game.

2017 NBA All-Star Game: Warriors, Cavaliers stars dominate fan votes

As expected, the four biggest stars from the NBA's two powerhouses -- Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors -- finished with the most fan votes. LeBron James, the four-time NBA MVP, received the most fan votes (1,893,751 votes) followed by Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant ((1,768,185) and Kyrie Irving (1,696,769). According to NBA.com, "James is set to become the fifth player in league history to start at least 13 All-Star Games, joining Kobe Bryant (18), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14), Bob Cousy (13) and Michael Jordan (13)."

Meanwhile, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo got his first All-Star game nod for averaging a career-high tally of 23.7 points, 5.6 assists, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.8 steals. "The Greek Freak" will join James, DeMar DeRozan, Jimmy Butler and Kyrie Irving as the starters for the East.

The West will feature a starting 5 of Curry, Harden, Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis. DeMarcus Cousins, who finished No. 4 in the media and player rank categories, was ommitted due to his No. 6 fan rank. Warriors centre Zaza Pachulia shockingly finished No. 2 in the fan rank category but finished last in the media and play rank categories.

Eastern Conference Starters

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
• Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
• DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
• Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
• LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Western Conference Starters

• Stephen Curry, Golen State Warriors
• Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
• Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
• James Harden, Houston Rockets
• Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

The reserves will be announced on Jan. 26 during a live broadcast on TNT. The 2017 NBA All-Star Game will take place on Feb. 19 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The game was moved from Charlotte after the NBA protested North Carolina's House Bill 2.