DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks were obviously disappointed rookie forward Luka Donic wasn’t chosen Thursday as one of the starters in next month’s NBA All-Star game. But there’s still a chance Doncic can be chosen as one of the seven Western Conference reserves named to the midseason classic.
The All-Star reserves, selected by the coaches, will be announced next Thursday.
“Luka’s done great things, no question about that, and he does have a chance,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “I don’t think there’s any doubt about that, but how it’s going to go exactly, I don’t know how it’s going to go exactly. I haven’t dug into it.
“Coaches have all that information at their disposal, and I do know that coaches are very steadfast about voting for guys who deserve to be in there, so we’ll see. “
Coaches can’t vote for their own players, and Carlisle is in no rush to turn in his ballot.
“I usually wait until the last possible minute because things can happen,” he said. “I think the vote is due on Tuesday morning, so that’s probably when I’ll submit mine, but I have not looked at it very closely.
“But I will say this, the fact that Luka got all those votes (from fans) and there’s been a major buzz for him is something everyone has taken note of. I don’t think there’s any question about that.”
Doncic is averaging 19.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. Carlisle, meanwhile, wouldn’t get into what’s all involved in how a coach decides to vote for the All-Star reserves.
“How coaches consider all that is pretty private,” he said. “Generally speaking, coaches look at it and they have experienced playing against all these guys, and you can’t vote for your own guys, which makes sense as a rule.
“But I don’t think it’s ever been tougher in the West. There are going to be guys that are probably not going to make the All-Star team that are perennial All-Star type guys. There’s a chance that could happen.”
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