Atlanta Hawks sharpshooter Kyle Korver, Sacramento Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins, and Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard highlight the All-Star snubs this season.
Cousins was named to replace the injured Kobe Bryant by NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Friday.
Cousins, 24, has had a strong season, averaging 23.8 points per game on 48 percent shooting, along with 12.3 rebounds. However, his Sacramento Kings have struggled, currently 16-28 and well outside any chance of making the playoffs in the tough West.
Cousins recently said that he wanted to be an All-Star for the first time, although he was realistic about his chances. ‘To be totally honest, it is what it is,’‘ Cousins told the Associated Press. ’‘If I make it, I make it. If I don’t, I don’t.’’
Korver, 33, appears to be the biggest snub in the Eastern Conference. Korver is only averaging 13 points a game, but is the biggest player in the Hawks fine-tuned offense, and is set to shatter records by averaging 52 percent field goal shooting and 53 percent from 3-point range.
The shooting guard has started all 45 games so far, and is also averaging 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 33 minutes a game.
