Doncic: Lillard deserves to start ASG more than I do

Doncic was surprised to get the starting spot and thinks it should have gone to Lillard. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Luka Doncic: Damian Lillard deserves to start All-Star Game more than I do

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 2/20/21

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic is starting the NBA All-Star Game over Damian Lillard, but he thinks it should be the other way around.

According to ESPN's Tim McMahon, Doncic was surprised to get the starting spot and thinks it should have gone to Lillard.

Luka Doncic on All-Star voting results: “I didn’t expect that I was going to start this game. I know that maybe [Damian] Lillard deserved it more than me.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 20, 2021

Doncic made the All-Star Game in his second season in the NBA after averaging 28.8 points per game. This season, the 21-year-old is averaging a career-high 29.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 9.4 assists per game while shooting 47.5% from the field and 33.5% from deep.

Comparing his numbers to Lillard's, the Portland Trail Blazers star is averaging 29.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game while shooting 45.1% from the field and 38.4% from deep.

The numbers are relatively similar, but Doncic received more fan votes than Lillard did, and that's why he's starting the All-Star Game.

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