The NBA All-Star draft was performed and done with Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, considered the second selection on the reserve players list. LeBron James defeated Lillard with 11th choice – his first choice off the bench – after opposing team captain Kevin Durant chose his Brooklyn Nets teammate James Harden with the 10th choice.
Lillard, controversially, lost his title to Sunday’s game in Atlanta, after winning more votes from players and the media, but lost the fan vote to Dallas Mavericks playmaker Luka Doncic. This will be the sixth appearance of the Portland Guard’s All Star, participating in the exhibition weekend in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Lillard is averaging 29.4 points (the fourth best in the league) in 37 percent of three-point shots, as well as 8.8 assists (the eighth best in the league) and four rebounds.
Colleagues Blazers Anfernee Simons and Robert Covington will also perform during the All Star weekend, appearing in the NBA Slam Dunk contest and Skills Challenge, respectively.