Aldridge and Lillard represent Blazers this weekend

This weekend looks to be an exciting one for Trail Blazer fans, with Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard participating in the NBA All-Star Weekend events.

Both Aldridge and Lillard will play in the main All-Star game on Sunday.

Aldridge, who has been in the mix for League MVP, missed out on a starting lineup spot this year due to what many believe a flawed All-Star voting system.

Fans vote for 10 All-Star starters (five each for the Western and Eastern conference teams), while the remaining seven reserve players for each side are voted in by NBA coaches.

Kobe Bryant, who has spent most of the year sidelined while battling various injuries, made the starting lineup. Bryant has played in only six games this year, averaging 13.8 points (nearly 12 points less than his career average).

Kobe is one of the greatest players of all-time, but shouldn’t more deserving players get a spot on the team? A spot for their play, and not just their popularity?

The All-Star Game is for the fans, but fans are not voting in the right players. The only logical alternative I can think of is having the coaches vote. If this route were taken, we would see Aldridge starting, instead of Blake Griffin.

Besides that controversy, this All-Star Weekend will be one Portland fans will not soon forget.

For the first time since 1994,  the Blazers have two players representing them in the All-Star game. And Lillard will make history, as the first player to participate in all five All-Star events. He begins his quest Friday night when he plays in the Rising Stars Challenge. Saturday night will be busy for him, as he competes in the Skills Challenge (defending his title from last year), the Three-Point Challenge and the Dunk Contest.

In the latter, Lillard will compete against Paul George, John Wall, Ben McLemore, Harrison Barnes and last year’s winner, Portland native (Jefferson High School) Terrence Ross.

It will be interesting to see what Lillard has up his sleeve. Sunday night, he joins Aldridge in the 63^rd NBA All-Star game. It’s the first one All-Star Game for Lillard, while Aldridge makes his third straight appearance.

I expect both Aldridge and Lillard to perform well.

I believe Lillard will dominate in the Rising Stars game, Skills Challenge, and the Three-Point Challenge. The Dunk Contest will be a challenge, but I am confident he will surprise many with his athleticism.

I see Aldridge having a strong performance in the All-Star Game. He’ll show the voters that they made a mistake leaving him off of their ballots.