Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has expressed his disappointment in not being added to the NBA All-Star game.
SB Nation reports that Lillard vented his frustrations out in a now deleted post on Instagram. In the post Lillard thanked the coaches, fans, and NBA Commisioner Adam Silver for not believing in him.
"This isn't unfamiliar territory for me , it's actually what my life has been inspired by. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed or that I don't feel disrespected but it's not too much to handle." Lillard wrote.
After Lakers guard Kobe Bryant underwent season-ending surgery, Silver made the decision to include Sacramento Kings center Demarcus Cousins in the All-Star lineup. According to Sporting News, Lillard said he has no resentment to those who were chosen above him.
"I’m not one of those guys that’s going to say, ‘Oh, I should be in over this guy or that guy.’ I’m not a hater. I’ve got respect for each guy that made the roster. And I think they deserve to (make the team). But at the same time, I feel really disrespected, and that’s just honestly how I feel.”
Lillard has averaged 21.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game in the first half of his third season in the NBA.