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Damian Lillard named All-Star after Blake Griffin injury

By Sam Richmond

Dec 22, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) brings the ball up the court during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) brings the ball up the court during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver named Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard as Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin’s All-Star injury replacement. 

Damian Lillard is an All-Star after all.

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On Sunday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver named the Portland Trail Blazers guard as Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin’s injury replacement on the Western Conference team.

Before Sunday’s announcement, Lillard had been widely regarded as the biggest All-Star snub. Even he had made it quite clear that he felt he deserved a spot in the game.

Lillard posted the following message on his Instagram account after Silver chose DeMarcus Cousins as Kobe Bryant’s injury replacement in January.

"I just want to thank the coaches who feel I wasn’t good enough, the fans that didn’t think I was good enough , and Adam Silver also for not thinking I was good enough. This isn’t unfamiliar territory for me , it’s actually what my life has been inspired by. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed or that I don’t feel disrespected but it’s not too much to handle. Not the first or last guy to be snubbed. “You should have been there” isn’t good enough for me. But anyway, The reason I’m in these shoes is because I’ve always use the hand I was dealt to my advantage… A wise man once told me… ” it ain’t always gone be peaches and cream but somebody has to pay for the reason it’s not … One way or another ” … #ImThankful #Real#NonAllStar #RipCity #YellowTape"

But Lillard is disappointed no longer.

Lillard’s spot in the All-Star game is well earned. He’s had a fantastic season en route to leading the Trail Blazers to a 34-17 record, the fourth best mark in the Western Conference. Lillard is averaging 21.6 points (43.6 percent shooting from the field, 34.4 percent shooting from three), 6.3 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game.

It’s a shame that fans won’t get to see Griffin in the contest; his athleticism and dunking ability make him a perfect fit for the All-Star game.

But don’t sleep on Lillard showing out. Guards typically dominate All-Star games and Lillard has the speed and handles to create some awesome moments.

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