Damian Lillard Replaces Blake Griffin In All-Star Game

[Alpha_]

Damian Lillard has replaced Blake Griffin on the Western Conference All-Star team, the NBA announced on Sunday.

Griffin is out indefinitely while Lillard was a notable omission from the All-Star team.

Damn. What an insult. He should turn down the offer.

Anyway, I've never seen an NBA player b*tch so hard about not making the All-Star team.

[Andrew]

Perhaps Lillard did go a bit overboard, but I find it to be kind of refreshing. About a decade or so ago, it seemed like at least a few of the league's stars didn't really care about the All-Star Weekend, and sideline interviews during the Weekend and Game itself strongly suggested that some of them viewed the whole thing as a chore. For a rising star like Lillard to view it as an honour and something to aspire to...well, I like to see that.

[NovU]

I didn't mind Lillard acting out on him being snubbed. He was only speaking the truth anyway and I don't mind truth being spoken from any angle. Besides there were worse, undeserving losers claiming stupid things in the past.

ASG might be for fans, but for whatever the reasons, he wasn't getting recognition he deserves from ball fans and media so it's kinda their fault for not properly recognizing his talent. Also part of reason is him being a small market player that gets less national spot light so fans are stupid anyway as their way of thinking is majorly shaped by media's bs and wanking.

[Andrew]

Considering that a lot of fans thought he was snubbed, I think that one's on the coaches. Admittedly the fans could've voted him into the starting five, but overcoming Kobe's enduring popularity/elder statesmen/all-time great status was going to be a tall order.

[NovU]

Stop hating Kobe, andrew. He should be a lock starter for ASG even after he retires. It's only fair that way.

[Andrew]

Joke's worn thin.

[[Q]]

I don't think it was lillard "complaining" so much as him saying what we were all thinking. Good thing came out of it was silver probably increasing the size of the team next year

[Lamrock]

Since teams suit 13 players now, might as well put Randolph and Knight into the games.

But yeah maybe Lillard overreacted to his snub but he's just giving the sports media what they want. Kind of odd that my favorite NBA player has the opposite approach to that than my favorite NFL player..

[Mandich]

Damian Lillard is on his way for being one of the hated players in the NBA.

For decades there have been countless numbers of snubs and undeserving all-stars, and yet only some decide to bitch about it. The NBA already made it easier for some players by removing the starting center and making it 3 "forwards". To think Sivler might open up extra slots is ridiculous. Let's make every player who had a good series/streak an all-star (not saying Lillard isn't deserving).

Tony Allen made a good point.

You we're snubbed, but being a big girl isn't going to win you any respect/fans, only get you mocked and put you close to the Steve Francis line. Shame you aren't nearly as fun to watch.

[JAWSFreelao]

Lol most hated? I disagree. What would fans hate him for aside from making Chandler Parsons his bitch during last year's playoffs?
And you know what? Dame DID go overboard, there's no denying that. But it's obvious that he was more deserving than some of the other electees.
And Silver will open up extra spots because he seems to enjoy fixing things that are not broken (Example: last year's dunk contest, this year's Rookie-Soph challenge, Draft lottery system).

[Lamrock]

Let's be honest - did anybody like them drafting teams from a pool of rookies and sophomores? It was almost interesting seeing the rookies try to upset the sophs and USA vs world is better than team jalen rose vs team grant Hill or whatever.

[Andrew]

The Team Chuck vs. Team Shaq concept did get old quickly, and relied on both of them making solid picks to end up with balanced teams. I think the Rookies vs. Sophomores concept was wearing thin as well; it made sense the first time they did it, because it allowed the Class of 1998 to get involved, seeing as how they missed out when the lockout cancelled the 1999 All-Star Weekend. After that though, it was kind of redundant, even though the format was working out alright.

That event has gone through a few different format changes, and it was probably time to change things up a bit once again. I balked a bit at first when I heard about the change, but I've warmed up to it. Might as well give it a try; if it works out OK, perhaps the concept could become a separate event; a secondary All-Star game for players who don't make the main event on Sunday, perhaps.

[shadowgrin]

Whiny bitch finally got his wish.

[[Q]]

Kind of odd that my favorite NBA player has the opposite approach to that than my favorite NFL player..

Richard Sherman??

Let's make every player who had a good series/streak an all-star

It's because of haters like you and Adam Silver why he was complaining.
and "opening up" a forward spot doesn't help him since he's a guard

[NovU]

Everyone says something every year, a lot of it more ridiculous and silly. It was just that Lillard was under scrutiny because he's been superbly great this year so whatever he said got blown out of proportion by media.

Yeah, let's call him bitch, loser, whiner, not-humble, whatever.

[Mandich]

and "opening up" a forward spot doesn't help him since he's a guard

Good thing I wrote this, you shouldn't just glance at posts.

The NBA already made it easier for some players

My whole point is, as I already stated in the Larry Sanders thread: He got the ultra rare opportunity to do the thing he loves, becoming a rich celebrity with loads of fans. And yet he decides to be one of those guys who complain about all-star appearances. Now because of the pressure he/Media has put because he's a whinny ass and hardcore fans are generaly loud iditos, Silver might change something that has been a constant from before Lillard was born.

The All-star game isn't about Lillard. It's for the fans. As long as fan voting is part of the process selections will be flawed and there will always be snubs. The west is stacked.

[Lamrock]

Kind of odd that my favorite NBA player has the opposite approach to that than my favorite NFL player..

Richard Sherman??

BEAST MODE

[SurfingP]

Though many are criticizing Damian Lillard for his actions, I personally find it rather refreshing that Lillard was angry about his All-Star snub. I have zero issue with him being upset as he's actually showing some emotion for what will most likely be another dull game on Sunday. Glad to also see Kyle Korver getting the call-up, after his snub - he's my pick to light it up in the 3 Point Contest where he's tied as the second-favorite (TopBet.eu has him at +300 with Klay Thompson, just under Stephen Curry at +250).

[Andrew]

I agree with you, I like that Lillard actually appears to give a damn. I don't know that Korver was necessarily a snub, though. I tend to think that four representatives from one team is overkill, even if they have been playing really well. Then again, there aren't a whole lot of other players in the East who stand out as notable snubs, and he is having a fine year, so it's not inappropriate.

[JAWSFreelao]

Brandon Knight would disagree.

[Andrew]

I said there weren't a whole lot, I didn't say they were none.

Meanwhile, here's what we're looking at as far as replacements are concerned:

DeMarcus Cousins (Kobe Bryant)
Damian Lillard (Blake Griffin)
Kyle Korver (Dwyane Wade)
Dirk Nowitzki (Anthony Davis)

Steve Kerr has also selected Klay Thompson and James Harden to start in place of Blake Griffin and Anthony Davis.

[JAWSFreelao]

Kyle Korver (Dwyane Wade)

This makes me want to punch orphans.