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LaMarcus Aldridge understood why he was left off the Western Conference All-Star team on Thursday.

Teammate Andre Miller, on the other hand, did not.

Aldridge, who is averaging 21.3 points and 9.0 rebounds for the Blazers (26-23) was among the best players left off the list of reserves released Thursday. The reserves were selected by a vote of conference coaches.

The West reserves were Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas), Pau Gasol (Lakers), Manu Ginobili (San Antonio), Tim Duncan (San Antonio), Deron Williams (Utah), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City) and Blake Griffin (LA Clippers).

The All-Star Game is Feb. 20 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

“You have to put Blake Griffin in,’’ Aldridge rationalized. “He plays in LA and people want to see him play.’’

Perhaps the biggest surprise was Duncan, the legendary veteran who is still effective, but no longer dominant. Duncan is averaging 13.6 points and 9.4 rebounds.

“I figured they were going to put Tim in -- he’s a Hall of Famer,’’ Aldridge said. “So Tim was the swing vote. If they didn’t do Tim, they were going to do me or (Kevin) Love, and that could have gone either way. But I feel like the NBA was going to put Tim in the whole time.’’

Gasol is widely considered one of the most skilled big men in the game, but his selection raised some eyebrows as well. Gasol is averaging 18.4 points and 10.6 rebounds.

“That was a surprise,’’ Aldridge said. “But (the Lakers) have the second-best record, so how could you not?’’

About this time, Blazers guard Andre Miller approached us sitting in the stands of the University of Indianapolis gym.

“What’s the word? What’s the word?’’ Miller anxiously asked.

When told Aldridge did not make the team, Miller cursed.

“It’s all publicity and hype,’’ Miller said. “The league don’t appreciate the blue collar workers. They don’t appreciate that. They make their money off the high-flyers ... That’s a slap in the face to LA.’’

What particularly irked Miller, who is in his 12th NBA season, is the selection of Griffin, the Clippers rookie. Griffin is averaging 23.0 points and 12.7 rebounds.

“They are putting this guy on every ESPN highlight. Yeah, it’s cool because fans want to see that, but you isolate him from his team,’’ Miller said. “Especially ... he ain’t made nobody better. It’s basically his rookie year, as an All-Star? LeBron James didn’t make an All-Star team as a rookie.’’

Miller, of course, has a history with Griffin. Miller’s streak of 632 consecutive games played -- the longest active streak in the NBA -- was snapped in December when the NBA suspended Miller for bulldozing into Griffin. Miller’s physical actions was retaliation for two pushes in the back by Griffin earlier.

“LA was supposed to make it. He was supposed to make it,’’ Miller continued. “We have a better record than those guys (the 19-29 Clippers), and LA is putting up just as good numbers. Now, you are not going to see a lot of highlights -- Blake Griffin highlights and stuff like that -- but they are giving these young guys too much respect. Too much respect to the young guys. It’s good for him personally; I’m not no hater. But I am biased toward my teammate. No. 1, we have better record, and No. 2, (Aldridge) is just as good and he has paid his dues.’’

-- Jason Quick