NEW YORK — Much has been made about the process through which Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard became a Western Conference All-Star.
Lillard was displeased when his name wasn't on the initial 12-man roster, and he wasn't quiet about it. Due to an abnormal amount of injuries to All-Star starters, Lillard was added as the second replacement.
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Lillard originally thanked the voters who didn't believe he was good enough, including fans, coaches and NBA commissioner Adam Silver. But he did not seem all that phased by the delay when discussing the subject on Friday at All-Star Weekend media availability.
Asked if it means more to him this time around, Lillard said it would only feel different if he didn't believe he was meant to be there from the start.
"I appreciate it the same," Lillard said. "I feel like if I didn't think I earned the right to be here then maybe I'd think otherwise. But I feel like I earned it. I earned a spot on the team, and I'm here because of that."