Kyrie Irving says he doesn't deserve to be an All-Star
The NBA announced the starting lineups for the 2016 All-Star game on Thursday, and Kyrie Irving was overtaken by Kyle Lowry for the final guard spot in the East.
The Eastern Conference #AllStar206 starters are: LeBron James Carmelo Anthony Paul George Dwyane Wade Kyle Lowry
— FOX Sports Live (@FOXSportsLive) January 22, 2016
Irving, however, agrees with the fans' decision.
Thanks to a combination of career-low statistics and playing in only 15 games this season due to injury, Irving said he doesn't think he deserves a spot on the All-Star roster.
"He deserves it, man," Irving said of Lowry, via Cleveland.com. "It was going to be either way -- whether I made it or not -- it was going to be the same reaction from me. Just, either it would be good to be there in Toronto (or) like I said, he deserves it."
"Honestly, me as a principled man, seeing it from a broader perspective, I wouldn't be mad at all," Irving said about the prospect of not making it as a reserve.. "Personally, I don't feel like I deserve it just from the amount of games that I've played and the body of work."
The coaches vote in the reserves, and they must select seven in total: two guards, three frontcourt players and two additional players at either position. Jimmy Butler of the Bulls, DeMar DeRozan of the Raptors, Isaiah Thomas of the Celtics and John Wall of the Wizards all have compelling cases.
If Irving does sneak in, it'll be because the coaches recognize that he's capable of playing at an All-Star level, and that he's the second-best player on a Cavaliers team that's leading the Eastern Conference. But whether he makes the team or not, it doesn't sound like he's worried about it all that much.
