Thunder center Steven Adams was sixth in the latest fan voting results for All-Star 2019 released Thursday by the NBA and his teammate, Russell Westbrook, believes Adams should definitely make the cut.

In his sixth season in the NBA, Adams is having his best year to date. He is averaging a career-high 15.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game this year.

While Adams may not ultimately win the fan vote to be named a starter in the game, he will likely need the coaches to vote him in as a reserve, and, as Westbrook says, coaches should recognize his value as a player.

“They better,” Westbrook said. “He is definitely worthy of it and any other bigs in the Western Conference, they know.”

Westbrook expounded on what has improved with Adams this year.

“Each year, he has gotten better,” Westbrook said. “He’s [playing] at an All-Star level. He has learned more about himself and what he’s able to do. … At his size, he is able to move, defend and rebound. He can shoot the basketball, he doesn’t shoot many jump shots in the game but he is able to do it.”

Russell Westbrook on if coaches around the league recognize Steven Adams’s value: “They better.” pic.twitter.com/6B4lVncCO5 — Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) January 10, 2019

While Westbrook certainly believes Adams should be an All-Star, the 7-footer isn’t necessarily all that interested if he earns a place in the game or not as he opted against answering a question regarding the game last month.

In any case, Adams has proven to be a huge lift for the Thunder this season and his improved play hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates, and that may be all that’s important to Adams.