Making the Case For Damian Lillard As an NBA All-Star Starter
By Brian Brennan
@b2brennan
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Damian Lillard might not be the best starting point guard in the NBA or even the Western Conference, but there are numerous reasons why he should be in the starting lineup for the All-Star game. Behind Stephen Curry and James Harden, I think he’s been the third-best guard in the West this season.
Harden is the best shooting guard in the West and has been the main reason why the Houston Rockets are in fifth even while missing a number of games without the annual All-Star Dwight Howard. He is a guaranteed starter.
Curry has been the best point guard in the league this season, and it shows with the Golden State Warriors having the best record in the NBA. He is another shoo-in as a starting All-Star.
I firmly believe there is no All-Star starting small-forward in the West this season. Yes, Kevin Durant will always be an All-Star, but the number of games he’s missed this year should be the reason he doesn’t start. I don’t believe there are any other worthy small-forwards, so the West will probably start a lineup with two power-forwards and a center. Since they are willing to run with two power-forwards, they should be willing to run a three-guard lineup. That is where Lillard steps in.
I’m looking at a starting lineup in the West with Lillard, Curry, Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge and Marc Gasol. The players who have a chance of being in that final spot over Lillard are Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook and Blake Griffin. Westbrook has missed numerous games, Griffin is the second-best player on his team and Davis has been great but his team sits in tenth place.
Paul provides a good argument, because his PER is high; he’s averaging about 18 PPG and 9.5 APG, and he’s just a general leader on the court. The main reason I have Lillard over him is their teams. The Portland Trail Blazers are better than the Los Angeles Clippers plain and simple. Everyone talked about how this year is the Clippers’ year, yet they’re in sixth place. The Blazers are a game and a half out of first, and Lillard has been a major reason for that.
Not only are Lillard’s per game numbers outstanding (21.7 PPG, 6.4 APG, 4.9 RBG), he makes way more free-throws and three-pointers than Paul. Lastly, he’s been the most clutch player this season. There really is no bad choice here, but in terms of play and lineup flexibility, Lillard should be the West’s fifth starter in the All-Star game this season.
Brian Brennan is a Portland Trail Blazers writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @b2brennan.
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