Paul’s snub annoys Harden
DALLAS — Rockets guard Chris Paul said little about his exclusion from the All-Star rosters. He said snubs “happen every year.” Of being left out this season, he left it at “I’m cool.”
His partner in the Rockets’ backcourt, however, was far more displeased Wednesday.
“Second-best overall record in the NBA, No. 2 in the best conference in the league,” James Harden said. “He averages what, 19 and nine assists? What are we rewarding? We’re winning and he’s putting up the numbers, there’s no question.
“Obviously, we have a lot of depth on this team, but I’m not doing it out there by myself. He’s controlling the games as well. When I was out, did you see the show he was putting on? Do you see what he’s been doing the last couple games? I don’t know what we’re rewarding now.”
The Rockets are 24-5 in the games Paul has played and 19-0 in games played with Harden and Clint Capela. Paul, a nine-time All Star, is averaging 18.8 points, 8.8 assists and a career-high 5.9 rebounds. In the games Harden was out, the Rockets went 4-3 as Paul averaged 21.3 points, 10.1 assists and six rebounds.
Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni agreed with Harden’s assessment of Paul.
“He’s done all the right things,” D’Antoni said. “He gave up space and personal accolades to make the team better. He did that and is still having one of his better years and doesn’t make the team. It’s perplexing.”
D’Antoni had said several weeks ago he weighs team record heavily when filling out his ballot. The Rockets are the only team in the top three of either conference with only one All-Star, but D’Antoni concluded that when others evaluate team records, they considered it “obviously, not enough.”
He then amended that with Golden State getting four All-Stars for the second consecutive season.
“Obviously, a lot for Golden State and not enough for us,” D’Antoni said. “That’s the way it goes.”
Paul missed 17 games, but D’Antoni did not believe that should have disqualified him, citing 2015, when Kevin Durant played in just 19 games when the coaches’ ballots were due.
“Kevin Durant a couple years ago missed a lot of games and he was an All-Star, which he should have been,” D’Antoni said. “(Chris) doesn’t deserve to be an All-Star? Give me a break. We’ll just try to use it as motivation.”