Is the All-Star Weekend Getting Over the Top? Damian Lillard in Despite Zero Games
Lillard’s spot in the Three-Point Contest
The NBA announced the field for this year’s Three-Point Contest and, among the entrants, Damian Lillard is listed — even though he hasn’t appeared in a single game this season because of injury after returning to Portland following a two-year stint in Milwaukee.
It’s easy to see why some fans call this odd. Lillard hasn’t knocked down any threes this year, and there are other shooters who are in better recent form. From a pure merit-based perspective, putting a player with zero games into a skill competition raises eyebrows.
All-Star Weekend: a show as much as a sports event
That said, the All-Star Weekend has always balanced competition with entertainment. Organizers often invite names that sell tickets and TV ratings, not just the hottest stat lines. Lillard is a two-time Three-Point Contest champion and a big draw for viewers, so his inclusion makes sense from a spectacle and fan-interest angle.
People will keep debating who deserves spots and who doesn’t, and that’s part of what keeps the conversation lively. Ultimately, the event mixes on-court talent with off-court appeal, and sometimes popularity outweighs recent minutes played.
