Goran Dragic was subsequently named All-Star by Commissioner Adam Silver. Miami Heat’s Guard replaces Kevin Love, who can’t drive to Los Angeles for the All-Star Game because of a fracture in his hand.
It is the first nomination for Dragic, who is also the first Slovene to receive this honor. The playmaker scored 17.0 points and 4.8 assists per game for the Miami Heat this season, with the Heat taking fourth place at the Eastern Conference with a score of 29-22.
Dragic was awarded 45th place in the 2008 draft. Position and is now in his tenth season. Only Kyle Korver (2015), Tyson Chandler (2013) and Sam Cassell (2004) were recently named All-Star.
The Slovenian is moving up for Kevin Love, who was voted into the All-Star team for the fifth time, but had to cancel again injured because he suffered a fracture in his Cleveland Cavaliers’ game against the Detroit Pistons. Love was chosen by the coaches and would have played for Team LeBron, which Dragic will do.
According to the rules of the NBA, the Commissioner can nominate a replacement if an All-Star is unable to play. Dragic got the most votes from the coaches of the unselected Eastern Conference players who had not been nominated before because of an injury to another All-Stars.