Damian Lillard “Frustrated” by Lack of All-Star Appearances

Damian Lillard is “frustrated” by his lack of NBA All-Star appearances, according to Chris Haynes of ESPN. The Portland Trail Blazers guard has appeared in the All-Star game twice, but believes that his career arc has justified more.

“I’ve gotten frustrated just for the fact that it feels like I always got to be the fall guy and every other guy has been deserving,” Lillard tells ESPN. “In the past, the thing has been, ‘All right, my team has been 10 games under .500 or not in the playoffs,’ but every year we’ve found a way to be in the postseason, and this year I think we’re in much better position than we have been in the past two seasons that I didn’t make it. I think I’ve gotten over the emotional part of it the last few times that I didn’t make it. Now I’m kind of like expecting it to go that way, but I feel like I should be there.”

Lillard holds a 22.6 point per game career average with 6.2 assists and 4.1 rebounds over 5.5 seasons of play. He’s averaged over 25 points per game over the last two seasons and continues to do so this year.

Haynes’ article also contains Lillard’s thoughts on finishing behind Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball in the popular vote for All-Star starters and his reflections on playing in a smaller NBA market.

2018 All-Star Game starters will be announced today at 6pm Eastern, 3pm Pacific on TNT. Reserves will be named on January 23rd.