Damian Lillard (Photo : Twitter)
Damian Lillard, the starting point guard and now franchise player of the Portland Trail Blazers has once again been snubbed of a slot in the NBA All-Star game.
It should be recalled that last year, he was also not selected as part of the league's mid-season spectacle but he replaced an injured Kobe Bryant.
Bryant is now the top-vote getter in the 2016 edition and he will be a starter in his last All-Star trip. Joining Bryant in the starting lineup is Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
The other guards selected in the Western Conference were Chris Paul, James Harden and Klay Thompson.
SB Nation named Damian Lillard as the biggest All-Star snub for the West as he was once again the odd-point guard out. He plays in a position where the top three has been solid: Stephen Curry is probably the best player in the game today, Russell Westbrook actually makes an argument for that distinction and Chris Paul has been acknowledged as the best point guard for almost a decade now.
The starters in the All Star Game are chosen by the fans. It was a long shot for Lillard as the Stephen Curry is riding high on their blazing season run and Westbrook has been a consistent fan favourite.
The coaches decide the reserves and it was also difficult to deny Chris Paul considering the surge of the LA Clippers despite losing Blake Griffin.
Which is why CSN Northwest has called on the Portland fan base not to mind the alleged snub. The coaches are not aware of the Lillard's value to the team. As they point out, Lillard is clearly respected by his teammates and is the driving influence of the team. Also, he is well loved by his city.
"I respect the fact that he can have 40 points one night, and the next day he is in the gym, working,'' teammate Allen Crabbe said. "He doesn't take days off.''
This is why Lillard is more than an All-Star in Portland-he is their MVP.
