Been thinking about this a lot lately. My prediction : He makes it if he keeps up his current stats and the team has a .667 winning percentage or better by the coach's voting deadline.
Injuries to his competition. Check out the guard lineup in the west: CP and Harden will be fan votes. Westbrook, Curry, and Parker will be voted in by coaches. Kobe being out will help, but knowing him, he'll probably be back in December and get in enough games to get fan votes (he' still on the fan ballot).
I think his stats will be far less important than the team results. Wait, scratch that--his scoring stats will be less important than a bump up in assists and a team .667 or better win rate.
Who is supposed to get bumped to make way for Lillard is my only question. Aside from that is he playing "like" an all-star? Some of the time, but just based on his PER ten games in (which I wouldn't read too much into) he's been above average to good, not great and his defense is still pretty shaky. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lillada01.html Not exactly all-star material (yet).
as it stands the west will take 5 guards - Paul Harden Curry Westbrook Parker Lillard is not likely to pass any of those so at best would be 6th or 7th (might also be behind Bledsoe.) also even if the Blazers still have a great record the coaches will use their obligatory reward votes on LMA, so Blazers record isn't likely to help him much.
Someone will be injured by that time, but I think he needs to improve his shooting. yes, he's better at 3, but his OVERALL shooting seems to have dipped a bit. Tonights game not withstanding, he seems to be relying more and more on the 3 point shot.
I don't think he'll make it this year, but winning will help in a big way. If we're in the top three by the time the coaches pick, he might get the nod. Injuries will play a big role, but Curry hasn't even made it (he'll probably make it this year).
I still believe Father Time is going to bite the Spurs this year. I think Parker or Curry can be passed.
Paul and/or Parker will be on the team but not play because of injuries/rest so the coaches will name Lillard as a replacement.
It was crazy that Curry didn't make it last year. You KNOW that Chris Paul will be voted in, as will Kobe (seriously...you know he will). So that leaves for Guards, Parker, Curry, Harden, Westbrook, Thompson and I'm sure others that are REALLY hard to beat out. The next group will have Lillard, Rubio and Conley (and again, I'm sure others). It's probably not a good chance he'll make it this year.
It's gonna be difficult to crack that list of all-star stalwarts. Lillard is my favorite Blazer, but I don't see him getting beyond Paul, Harden, Curry, Westbrook, or Parker this season.
I think Lillard and Matthews should definitely be in the 3pt contest this year....unless they go through a real cold streak.
That would be great to see but I don't see that having any affect on next ears All-Star game personally. It will still take the numbers and other guys dropping off.
Exactly right. That said I'd trade advancing out of the first round for ten all-star awards for Lillard.
