Paul George is going to the NBA All-Star Game as a starter.
The NBA announced its All-Star starters on Thursday, and George was voted as a starter out of the Western Conference for the first time in his career. It's George's third starting nod overall in nine seasons and sixth career All-Star selection. George was voted an Eastern Conference starter twice as a member of the Indiana Pacers (2014, 2016).
Because he received more fan votes, George was named a starter over New Orleans' Anthony Davis despite Davis receiving a higher percentage of the media and player vote. The fan vote was the tie breaker in determining the All-Star starters.
"I'm completely honored and grateful, not only for the state of Oklahoma, but for the world for voting," George said after the Thunder's 122-116 win against the Pelicans on Thursday. "I can't thank the fans enough for being in my corner, being behind me all season long.
"It's an award and an accomplish I think we can all share. I know I'm the one going as of now — Russ will be with me — but it's an accomplishment I couldn't have, I couldn't get without playing with this group here."
George has been among the best all-around players in the NBA this season, averaging career highs in points (27.0), rebounds (7.9) and steals (2.3) per game.
"I think the one thing people don't realize with him that's so unique, before the trade happened, he'd never played with Russell, never played in the West," Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. "I think for him last summer he was ready to get into this Eastern Conference, grind-out, slow-down type of basketball.
"He really worked hard, got himself in great shape, and did a lot of things away from the court. I'm happy for him because of the amount of work that he's put in."
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