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Houston Rockets guard James Harden was announced a starter for the Western Conference in the 2017 NBA All-Star Game on Thursday.
The 2017 Western Conference @NBAAllStar Starters! @StephenCurry30 @JHarden13 @kawhileonard @KDTrey5 @AntDavis23 pic.twitter.com/Gxz1q7Kyvg
— NBA (@NBA) January 20, 2017
Harden, 27, was voted as a starter for the first time, and this was the fifth-straight year that he was named to the game — in each of his five seasons with the Rockets. He replaced Kobe Bryant as a starter in 2014 and 2015.
He received 1,771,375 votes, second behind the Warriors’ Stephen Curry. This was the first time the all-star vote was split between fans, NBA players, and basketball media. The fan vote accounted for 50 percent of the vote, and the remaining half was split between the media and players.
Harden is averaging 28.9 points, 11.6 assists, and 8.3 rebounds this season. He is second in points per game (28.9) and first in assists (11.6). Harden has 13 triple-doubles through 45 games. He also leads the NBA free throws made (400) and attempted (469) this season while ranking third in three-pointers made (141).
The Rockets are currently 33-12 and have the third-best winning percentage in the NBA (.733).
Harden is one of the easiest selections for the Western Conference. While Curry’s spot could be swapped for the Thunder’s Russell Westbrook. Westbrook and Harden are currently the front-runners for the MVP award.
The All-Star Game takes place in New Orleans on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. CT on TNT.