DeMar DeRozan selected to Eastern Conference All-Star team, Kyle Lowry snubbed

DeMar DeRozan is headed to the NBA All-Star Game, giving the Toronto Raptors their first All-Star since 2010.

DeRozan is having a career year and has played an integral role in the Raptors' rise up the standings, especially after the team traded Rudy Gay to Sacramento.

Earlier in the day, the 24-year-old shooting guard was confident that his credentials stacked up with the rest of the candidates from the Eastern Conference.

The other guards named to the reserves were John Wall of the Wizards and Joe Johnson of the Nets, meaning DeRozan's backcourt mate Kyle Lowry was left off the team.

Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Lowry just missed the cut.

Lowry was honoured to even be considered for the team and hoped his accomplishments would be recognized but he said that he wasn't losing sleep over it and that if a trip to New Orleans wasn't meant to be, he would be enjoying a few days off in the sun.

"Trust me, I'll be somewhere nice and warm," said Lowry.

Raptors coach Dwane Casey said before the announcement that he thought the team deserved at least one representative in the All-Star Game but wouldn't be surprised to see one of his players snubbed because of the fierce competition for the final few positions.

"For me it's very difficult just because there are so many good players. It was difficult for me to narrow it down to the last two spots."

DeRozan and his Eastern Conference teammates will take on the West on February 16th in New Orleans.