The NBA clearly forgot the All-Star Game is in Canada (Kelly Olynyk left out of 3PT contest)


In September of 2013, the NBA decided to award the 2016 All-Star Game to the city of Toronto.  At the time, the Toronto Raptors were coming off a 34-48 campaign and had posted a total of just four winning seasons in franchise history.  I can't imagine it ever occurred to the powers that be that by 2016 the Raptors would be in contention for the best record in the Eastern Conference, which in turn might allow their coach to guide the East squad in their own city.

What an incredible twist of good fortune!

However, by late January it was clear that Cleveland would be No. 1 in the East at the break, with Toronto second.  But, then the NBA got even luckier.  The Cavaliers fired David Blatt (when do you ever see a team with the best record in the conference can its coach halfway through the season?) and dropped a gift right in the league's lap.  Now it had the chance to name the Raptors' Dwane Casey head coach of the East All-Stars in Toronto--perfect symmetry for the first ever All-Star Game to be played outside the United States.

Instead, the NBA chose to hand the gig over to just-promoted Cavs assistant Tyronn Lue.

Epic fail.

The NBA then got a chance to redeem itself and do right by Canada as one of the country's native sons happened to be among the league leaders in three-point shooting.  Kelly Olynyk in the three-point contest in front of his home fans seemed like a no-brainer.

Nope.  Fail No. 2.

Olynyk was passed over for a rookie from Phoenix (Devin Booker) and an ex-Raptor big man (Chris Bosh) who doesn't even rank among the Association's top 45 three-point shooters.

What gives, NBA?

In other Celtics-related All-Star weekend news, Isaiah Thomas will compete in the skills competition for the second year in a row:


I highly doubt it's going to happen, but it'd be pretty hysterical if they make the centers and guards do all the same stuff.




Follow Mark Vandeusen on Twitter @LucidSportsFan