Every year the NBA All-Stars are announced and every year there’s a huge debate about who was snubbed. This year was no different especially with so many amazing players in the Western Conference. Initially both Damian Lillard and DeMarcus Cousins were left off the roster but with Kobe Bryant’s season-ending injury, commissioner Adam Silver was forced to choose between the two. The decision was so difficult it influenced Silver to want to expand All-Star rosters.
“I didn’t like having to make that choice,” he told ESPN Radio. “I wish I had another slot for Damian [Lillard] because I think he’s deserving of being an All-Star as well.”
Here’s what Silver said his reasoning was for choosing Cousins. (via SB Nation)
“I rely heavily on our basketball folks in terms of where the coaches’ [voting] came out. Of course there’s a fan vote for the starters and the coaches choose the reserves. DeMarcus was very high up on the coaches’ vote, so that had a strong influence on me. Ultimately I deferred to them. DeMarcus, based on his numbers, absolutely deserves to be an All-Star. Damian … his numbers are great, too. When I look at his team’s record, I want to take that into account as well. Damian is someone who has literally been a model citizen in terms of what he’s done in the community, he’s done in Portland [and] activities he’s engaged in with the league. It was essentially a tie in my mind, so I ultimately deferred to the coaches.”
