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Not that it has ever been a ratings bonanza, but TV folks responsible for airing the rookie/sophomore game as part of the NBA's all-star weekend can officially forget about any of the Raptors tuning in.
That became a definite early Wednesday morning when word spread through the Raptors locker room that DeMar DeRozan would not be one of the nine rookies invited to take part in the game.
DeRozan found out from teammate and best friend Sonny Weems who burst into the training room where DeRozan was getting treatment for two sprained ankles and vented his own frustration at the snub. No one on the team understood it.
DeRozan said he was "more confused than angry" about not being selected but he did use his Twitter account to share his initial feelings when he found it. DeRozan sent out the three-letter tweet "Wow" and left it at that.
"I've learned from other players, just keep it short and sweet," he said.
DeRozan said he will certainly be using this as motivation for the rest of the year.
"I don't get too frustrated because I've got an entire second half of the season to go," DeRozan said. "It's just a chance for me to show them that I should have got a mention here."
DeRozan, who has started all 45 games for the Raptors this year, will be at the event to take part in the first Dunk-in qualifier against the Clippers' Eric Gordon for Saturday's Slam-Dunk contest.
