SI.com Leaves Lillard off of NBA All-Star Game List

Today former Blazer’s Edge writer and current SI.com/The Crossover columnist Ben Golliver released Sports Illustrated’s picks for the 2017 NBA All-Star Game. The site’s votes for starters—registered as part of an official ballot as part of the NBA’s new All-Star selection rules--include James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Jimmy Butler, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Their list of reserves feature DeMarcus Cousins, Steph Curry, and Isaiah Thomas.

Absent among all those flashy names: Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard.

Despite scoring 26.1 ppg, good for 8th in the league, and standing Top-20 in assists, Lillard has to settle for a mention at the end of the article in the “snubbed” category along with former Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge and Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns. It’s worth noting that SI’s “snubbed” category falls below their suggestion for a potential “injury replacement” player, which is Utah Jazz wing Gordon Hayward.

Starters for the 2017 NBA All-Star Game will be named tonight, January 19th. Reserves will be announced next Thursday, January 26th.

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