Warriors forward David Lee is officially an All-Star, making him the first time Golden State player selected since 1997.
Congratulations are in order: Warriors forward David Lee is officially an All-Star, marking the first time since 1997 Golden State is sending a player to the NBA All-Star Game.
Lee was named as an 2013 All-Star reserve today during an hour-long special on TNT. He was praised on-air for his style of play and elevation of the Golden State Warriors team.
Lee — who has filled the stat sheets this season, including 17 games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds and 26 double-doubles — told SFBay he has has mixed feelings about being named an All-Star without teammate Stephen Curry:
“Steph was the first one to text and congratulate me. … I’m excited to make it but it’s really bittersweet right now. …The validation comes from winning this season, but I’m really excited about this and where we are as a team.”
Head Coach Mark Jackson made it very clear Wednesday night he considered both Lee and Curry All-Stars and that if they were not named by the league, the voting process would need to be questioned:
“I have two guys on my team that it would be wrong and a disservice if they are not on the All-Star team. … If justice truly prevails, those guys will be in the All-Star game.”
Justice was partially served on Thursday when it was announced that only Lee was voted in. The TNT crew was not pleased about Curry not making an appearance; legend Charles Barkley expressed his anger with no filter:
“For them to leave Steph Curry off their team is a joke, a flat out joke. …I am so pissed off right now my head’s going to explode.”
Lee laughed as he spoke with SFBay about Barkley’s comments, saying he “completely agreed” with Chuck and that he was rooting for Curry the whole time.
Curry who is averaging 20.9 points, 6.6 assists and, and shooting 45 percent from three-point range this season, tweeted moments before the announcement was made on TV:
Congrats to my bro @Dlee042 representing #DubNation in Houston. Proud teammate. Lets go
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) January 25, 2013
The 2013 NBA All-Star Game will be played Feb. 17 at the Toyota Center, home of the Houston Rockets.
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