Millsap awaits All-Star vote

Paul Millsap — again — must wait to find out whether NBA coaches believe him to be an All-Star.

The answer has been yes each of the past three seasons. However, the Hawks power forward is on hold before any reservations can be made for New Orleans and All-Star game next month.

Millsap has been an Eastern Conference reserve each of his three seasons in a Hawks uniform. He didn’t make the Western Conference team during any of his first seven seasons with the Jazz.

The NBA will announce the reserves on Thursday to fill out the 12-man teams as selected by coaches. The five starters were announced last week as selected by the fans, players and media.

“I’ve been an All-Star,” Millsap said Monday morning before the Hawks hosted the Clippers. “Whatever happens, it’s not about that. It’s about this team and getting this team where we need to be. If myself or somebody on this team is rewarded, great. If not, we’ll get out there and kick butt.”

Millsap is one of four players this season averaging at least 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block. The others: Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo and DeMarcus Cousins. Durant and Antetokounmpo will start for the West and East, respectively.

Millsap leads the Hawks in scoring (17.9 points) and his second in rebounds (8.1), assists (3.2), steals (1.54) and blocks (1.02).

Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said one of his players deserves to be an All-Star, between Millsap, Dwight Howard and Dennis Schroder. However, Millsap’s versatility stands out.

“Obviously, the way Paul and Dwight and Dennis have played, I hope the coaches all see how they are helping us, the way our team is playing and the way they are contributing,” Budenholzer said. “All the different things Paul does on both ends of the court, he is so unique and so gifted, I think coaches appreciate what he does. I’m not into the campaigning but he is pretty unique.”

Millsap finished 20th in AllStar fan voting among Eastern Conference frontcourt players with 39,551 votes. He finished tied for 12th in player voting with 13 votes out of 324 players taking part. Millsap also finished tied for eighth in media panel voting with one vote.

“For sure,” Millsap said when asked if the Hawks’ place in the standings should be taken into consideration. “Top three, top four, in the Eastern Conference. But we know how that is. We know how that is. Sometimes, it’s not predicated off of wins — and it should be.”