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Dirk, Zaza Snubbed from All-Star Team

By Isaac Harris

Jan 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) hugs forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) as they come off the court during the overtime period against the Sacramento Kings at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Kings 117-116 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) hugs forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) as they come off the court during the overtime period against the Sacramento Kings at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Kings 117-116 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Western Conference All-Star reserves were announced today and the list did not contain Dirk Nowitzki or Zaza Pachulia of the Dallas Mavericks.

After the All-Star starters were announced last week, Mavs fans set their sights on either Zaza Pachulia or Dirk Nowitzki being named as a reserve by the coaches, especially after Pachulia missed out on starting the all-star game by some 15 thousand votes.

At this point in the season Pachulia is sitting at 10 points and 10 rebounds a game with 20 double-doubles on the year.

The most surprising omission for me was Dirk Nowitzki from the list.

Dirk is averaging 17 points and 6 rebounds a game while leading the over-performing Dallas Mavericks to the 6th best record in the Western Conference with a 26-22 record. After the rosters were announced on TNT, the first comment said on live television was from Kenny Smith…

Almost everyone around the NBA had the Mavericks counted out before the season had even started but here they sit in contention for a middle seed in the playoffs. Nowitzki has harbored the load as both Chandler Parsons and Wesley Matthews have started the season slowly from their recoveries.

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The decision likely came down between LaMarcus Aldridge or Nowitzki. Even though the Spurs are sitting with the second best record in the West, Aldridge is averaging just 15.9 points and 8.8 rebounds a game.

The rest of the Western conference reserves are James Harden, Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.

For the Eastern Conference, it was Isaiah Thomas, John Wall, Chris Bosh, DeMar DeRozan, Paul Millsap, and Andre Drummond.

Look for Pachulia and/or Dirk to be considered as injury replacements heading up to All-Star Weekend.

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