Damian Lillard being “snubbed” from the All-Star game on multiple occasions has become a common topic of discussion among NBA fans. Of course, fans are not the only ones to notice. NBA coaches get to choose who the bench players on the All-Star game are. Leaving someone who is having a great season out of the team should be a hard job, but there are only a couple of spots for the best players at each position.
Greg Popovich, arguably the best coach in the league and one of the best in NBA history, has Damian Lillard's back and supports his All-Star case.
Portland Tribute Sports' Kerry Eggers quotes Pop:
“He’s a hell of a player, one of the best guards in the league. (Making All-Star team) is just very difficult to do. There are a lot of good players. He’s certainly more than deserving to be talked about in that regard.”
After winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2013, Lillard was selected to the All-Star team in back-to-back seasons. Lillard did not make the All-Star festivities in 2016 and 2017, and could once again miss out this season. At most, six guards make the team. Two play in the starting lineup and three come off the bench. Coaches have the possibility of adding a sixth guard with the 13th spot on the team, which is given to a player without taking positions into account.
It sounds surprising that Lillard's two best seasons of his career were the same he missed the All-Star team. But with so much talent at the guard positions including Stephen Curry, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Klay Thompson, and Chris Paul — plus Kobe Bryant in his farewell season — Dame was left out.
This season, Lillard is averaging 24.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists. He is still competing for a spot with his peers mentioned above. But at least Lillard knows he is a top guard in the tough West and the best coach in the NBA knows it.
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