It was quite a big surprise when Houston Rockets star point guard Chris Paul was not named as an NBA All-Star for the 2017-18 season. One of those people who was stunned by Paul being left out was none other than Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni.
In an interview posted by Tim McMahon of ESPN, D'Antoni opened up about Paul getting snubbed but says that he's still very happy for the players that made the cut.
“The first thing is, it's complicated in a sense that I do know every year guys that are deserving get left out. That's part of the game. Everybody's been slighted, so I get it,” coach D'Antoni said. “I'm happy for the guys that got it, especially those that haven't been there. That's great.”
How would D'Antoni describe the reaction he had to Paul not being named an Al-Star? He was amazed.
“I was amazed. I was amazed that people who should be watching games don't watch the games to see how imporant a guy is,” D'Antoni said. “I mean, he's done all the right things where he gave up space and personal accolades to make the team better. He did that, is still having one of his better career years and he doesn't make the team? I mean, it's perplexing.”
When asked whether he thinks that Paul missing 17 games this season due to injury had anything to do with the snubbing, D'Antoni wasn't buying that excuse.
“No,” coach D'Antoni said with a laugh. “No. When it gets to a certain point, yes, but then you've got Kevin Durant a couple years ago missed a lot of games and he was on, which he should've been. Chris has played 28 games out of 45, if I'm not mistaken, and in those 28 he's 23-5, is that right? Something like that. So, yeah, he doesn't deserve to be an All-Star? Give me a break.”
In 28 starts for the Rockets this season, Paul is currently averaging 19.1 points, 8.9 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in roughly 32.3 minutes of action per contest.
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