With Clippers power forward Blake Griffin unable to participate in this years All-Star Game due to an injury—NBA Commissioner Adam Silver immediately took action by announcing Griffin’s replacement, and without any surprise—it will be Blazer’s point guard Damian Lillard.
Lillard has undoubtedly been having a fantastic season and the Blazers wouldn’t be one of the top teams in the West without his services. However, despite consistently impressing a lot of people, he was unable to capture enough votes to earn a spot in the All-Star Game and was not selected even as a reserve for the west lineup.
So far this season, Lillard has been averaging career numbers of 21.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists while playing under 37 minutes per contest.
From Marc J Spears of Yahoo! Sports:
Blazers guard Damian Lillard picked by NBA commissioner Adam Silver to replace an injured Blake Griffin on the West All-Star team.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 8, 2015
This is probably not the way Lillard wanted to enter the All-Star Game, but nevertheless, he will have a chance to show everyone why he deserves to play in the Game and likely make things more exciting with his explosive and competitive style of play.
It really is too bad that we won’t be seeing Griffin, but his replacement—Lillard—will definitely not be a disappointment.
Oh yeah, and he can stop boycotting this year’s games now. Maybe he’ll even show up to defend his skill challenge title?
Benjamin Felix Santos is currently a senior college student from Manila, PH. An aspiring NBA writer, who bleeds the purple and gold. His love and passion for the game will never die.
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