Lillard unsurprised by All-Star snub: 'I was expecting the worst'

Damian Lillard has been down this road before, so Thursday's snub of an NBA All-Star roster spot didn't come as much of a surprise.

"I don't know if you guys could tell, I was prepared for this," the Portland Trail Blazers point guard told reporters with a laugh. "I was expecting the worst."

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Lillard was passed over last year when the initial All-Star reserves were announced, but secured a spot on the Western Conference squad after Blake Griffin was forced out due to injury. Whether Lillard will get another opportunity like that now remains to be seen, but he didn't sound like a trip to Toronto was a must-do.

"I've been thinking about just sitting in my house and just kicking back," he said.

Earlier this week he told reporters that he wouldn't travel to All-Star weekend for any of the other festivities if he wasn't selected to play in the main game, hinting at possibly taking a vacation instead.

"The numbers speak for themselves," Lillard said. "My team is in a playoff position ... I feel like I've played at an All-Star level. Obviously the coaches didn't."

The Oakland, Calif., native said his only goal now is keeping the surprising Blazers in postseason contention.

"I'll go out there and that wood on the fire will be more for my team," Lillard said. “What I can do now is get this team into the playoffs. Put my energy into that."