Washington Wizards: Snubbed? 3 Reasons Russell Westbrook is not an All-Star

Russell Westbrook is not an All-Star because he can’t hold onto the ball

While Russell Westbrook is still getting the near triple-double average that has somehow become normal for him — 19.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.7 assists through 29 games — he has a few other stats that are a little less All-Star worthy.

Westbrook currently leads the NBA in turnovers per game…by a lot. He is giving the ball away 4.8 times per game, which is 0.5 turnovers per game more than the next closest player. Trae Young, who will also miss the All-Star Game after being a starter just one season ago, is second in the NBA with 4.3 turnovers per game.

You could argue that some of that is a byproduct of Westbrook’s breakneck speed and the Wizards’ frantic pace. Despite having the 22nd ranked offensive rating in the NBA, the Wizards play with the fastest pace of any team (103.9). Westbrook is the main catalyst accelerating the Wizarrds’ pace of play, and as the pace increases, the likelihood of a higher turnover total increases, too.

But when you look at Westbrook’s turnover percentage, which accounts for differences in pace and usage, he still ranks among the league’s worst. He currently has the tenth worst turnover percentage in the NBA (19.0). His carelessness can’t simply be explained as a byproduct of the Wizards’/Westbrook’s fast pace.

It is possible for Westbrook to take better care of the ball without the Wizards offense screaching to a sludge-like pace. He has to get better in that category during the second half of the season.