INDIANAPOLIS (Indiana) • A day after the National Basketball Association (NBA) selected Carmelo Anthony as an injury replacement for the upcoming All-Star Game, several people questioned the decision. That included the player who was arguably the biggest All-Star snub, Washington Wizards' Bradley Beal.

"I'll never say a player doesn't deserve to be on the All-Star team. For one, Carmelo is a great player," Beal said of the New York Knicks star. "He's been one of the best offensive threats in the league for years now and I'm taking absolutely nothing away from him. But the process of it does not make sense. If they reward winning, then I don't understand how the decision was made."

When it was announced that Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love would miss the All-Star Game because of an injury, Beal and others were considered for his spot.

Beal's play as well as the Wizards' rise in the East standings seemed to make him a front runner. But on Wednesday night, NBA commissioner Adam Silver picked Anthony, replacing a front-court player with another forward.

"I don't get it," said Mark Bartelstein, who represents numerous NBA players including Beal.

"The reality of it is, if the coaches took a vote today for the guy who should be in the All-Star Game, there's no doubt in my mind it'll be Brad... There's no team winning at a higher level than the Wizards are right now. And Brad's in the centre of all that."

Beal shook off the disappointment to score 19 points as the Wizards defeated the Indiana Pacers 111-98 on Thursday.

It was Washington's fourth straight win and 18th of their last 21 games. The Wizards (34-21) have the third-best record in the East behind the Cavs (39-16) and the Boston Celtics (37-20). The Knicks (23-34) are 12th in the Conference.

WASHINGTON POST