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Dream’s Karl Smesko sounds off on ‘disappointing’ All-Star voting results
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- Dream’s Karl Smesko sounds off on ‘disappointing’ All-Star voting results
Dream's Karl Smesko sounds off on 'disappointing' All-Star voting results appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
Despite a valiant effort, the Atlanta Dream fell short against the Washington Mystics , 81-76, at CareFirst Arena on Thursday. The Dream suffered their fourth straight defeat and dropped to 12-8.
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It was a see-saw battle in the second half. Bad shooting, however, doomed Atlanta, going just 36% from the field, including 7-of-31 from long range. The team failed to finish off Washington despite scoring 28 points off 28 turnovers.
After the loss, Dream coach Karl Smesko, Rhyne Howard , and Jordin Canada ripped the officiating. Smesko called it "borderline bizarre."
Meanwhile, Smesko was asked before the game about the Dream not having a representative among the starters for next month's All-Star Game in Chicago . He issued a stern response, as shown in the video posted by WNBA reporter Emmanuel Glaze.
"It's really disappointing, especially since we had three players who were so close to making it, and I felt they were deserving of being starters by the merit of their play," said the second-year coach
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"The voting is half the fans, and we didn't get as much fan voting as we would like, and that kind of put us in a tough position to get anybody as a starter."
He was likely referring to Howard, Angel Reese , and Allisha Gray . He stressed that he "fully expects" them to be named as reserves. He also batted for Canada's inclusion, although he admitted that it could be difficult.
"What I would be concerned about is now that they're not starters, and it would go to the coaches' vote, I think we have a fourth player who deserves to be on the All-Star team in Jordin Canada. She's had an exceptional year," added Smesko.
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"As a coach, you know you have to vote in three of our players because they are three of the top 10 players in the league, and then you're going to have to put a fourth in, all from the same team. Coaches like to spread things around a little bit."
The reserves will be announced on Tuesday.
It was reported that less than half of the league's players submitted ballots for the All-Star Game .
Related: Dream's Angel Reese goes off on 'disrespectful' WNBA All-Star voters
Related: Dream's Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada rip 'terrible, horrible' officiating in loss to Mystics
