Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook Show Gratitude For All-Star Votes

February 14 became a highly anticipated date on Thursday. When news broke that Oklahoma City mainstays Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were both named starters for the 2016 NBA Western Conference All-Star team every Thunder fan's dream came true.

“Thanks to all the fans, it’s a true blessing and honor to be voted in the All-Star game. Can’t say thank you enough,” Westbrook tweeted. Durant added to that, tweeting, “Thanks to all the fans for help making a dream come true. It never gets old; I really appreciate it!”

The pair was voted in the top five, securing them starting positions and giving them an opportunity to experience the mania together.

“Doing it alongside my teammate is even better,” Durant told Thunder writer Nick Gallo. “It’s great to be back amongst the guys at the top of the league. To be a part of that company shows how much work I put in from recovery to training camp to throughout the season.”

Although this is the first time the pair has made the starting line-up together, it's far from their first showing. This year will be Durant’s seventh appearance and fifth start and Westbrook’s fifth appearance and first start.

So far, this season, the dynamic duo has led OKC to a 32-12 record, tallied Western Conference Player of the Month honors and recorded productive numbers. 

Durant is averaging 26.5 points per game, the third-most in the league behind Stephen Curry and former Thunder mate James Harden, while contributing 7.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Westbrook also looks quite impressive, averaging 24.0 points per game, the seventh-most in the league, while adding 7.1 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 2.5 steals.

This year will be the 65th anniversary of the All-Star game and the first year that it won’t be played in the U.S. Instead, it will tip off at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.