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DENVER - Its been four years since the Raptors had a representative in the All-Star Game. DeMar DeRozan, a 20-year-old rookie at the time, remembers it well. "I was here when Chris Bosh was the last guy to go," said DeRozan, now 24 in his fifth NBA season, less than two hours after receiving the news. A first-time All-Star, DeRozan got the nod Thursday evening when the NBA named the Raptors guard to the Eastern Conference squad as a reserve. "I work extremely hard every off-season to try and be the best player that I can be," he said proudly. "Just to be a part of All-Star Weekend is something you dream of. I remember being a kid watching All-Star Weekend and wishing to be a part of it. To see your dreams come true definitely means a lot." DeRozan, the fourth ever Raptor selected to the midseason showcase, which will take place in New Orleans on Feb. 16, was hardly surprised to find out his selection had been made official. He had expected it. The texts from family and friends started to come in as the Raptors plane landed in Denver, shortly after the announcement had been made live on TNT. Houston Rockets All-Star guard James Harden called to congratulate him, John Wall of the Washington Wizards, also an Eastern reserve, sent a text. The first call he made was to his fiancé and his infant daughter back in Toronto. "That was cool," he said of what had to be a special moment. Its a moment, an achievement that didnt come overnight. Hes put in the work and his growth as a player, a leader and as a man reflects that. "Hes worked at it [and] he deserves it," said Dwane Casey, who has coached DeRozan in three of his five seasons. "Every year Ive been here he has improved. He has brought something new back after every summer. Im so happy and proud of him as a young man watching him grow." DeRozan, the ninth overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft, is 11th in the league in scoring, fourth in the East, and averaging career highs in points (21.8), rebounds (4.7) and assists (3.6). The Raptors iron man has missed the clubs previous two games with an ankle injury, but hes still only missed 10 contests in his career, with two full seasons under his belt. Since the trade of Rudy Gay, DeRozan has blossomed in his new role. DeRozan has recorded five or more assists in 12 of the 43 contests hes appeared in this season. He accomplished that feat 12 times all of last year and five times total in his first three seasons combined. He has already grabbed five or more rebounds 23 times this season, something he did in 19 games during the 2012-13 campaign. "Im so happy for him, man," said snubbed teammate Kyle Lowry. "It just shows the hard work that hes put in. Its great for our team, its great for the organization, its great for the city, its great for the country." Of course, the news wasnt entirely positive. Lowry, in the middle of a career season, was left off the All-Star roster. The 27-year-old point guard - widely considered to be the most notable name missing from the East team - stood in the lobby of the Raptors Denver hotel, looking ahead to his mid-Febrary vacation. He too was not surprised by the result of the voting and if he was disappointed by it, he didnt show it. "Im alright," said Lowry, averaging career-highs in points (16.8), assists (7.6) and three-point shooting (41 per cent) this season. "Ill be on a beach somewhere hanging out. Ill watch the All-Star game and cheer for (DeRozan)." Lowry is coming off of back-to-back 30-plus point games for the first time in his eight-year career, however both performances came after the coaches submitted their ballots for All-Star reserves on Sunday. Casey has spent the better part of the last month campaigning for both of his guards, hoping to get both voted in, but expecting to only get the one. Why was Lowry left out? Politics, most likely. He and DeRozan may have split votes from coaches who were only willing to vote for one Raptor. Coaches trying to get their own guy in - unable to vote for their own players, by rule - may have thrown their votes to others, less likely to make it. Then theres Lowrys reputation for being, well, prickly on occasion. However, the numbers speak for themselves, or at least they should have. Lowry leads the East in assists in January, averaging 8.3. Hes also hit more threes this month (49) than any player in the league, shooting them at a 46 per cent clip. Hes among the league-best in assist-to-turnover ratio and he has the second highest PER (player efficiency rating) of any guard in the conference. "I am disappointed for Kyle because he is playing like an All-Star," Casey said. "He is one of the best point guards in the league right now and hopefully this doesnt deter him from his continuing his journey to being the best in the league and proving people wrong." Instead, the Nets Joe Johnson made the cut. Johnson is averaging 15.7 points, his lowest mark since 2002-03, his second season in the league. Hes only the second All-Star voted in by the coaches with a below-average PER since 2003. "Im going to keep grinding no matter what, All-Star or not," Lowry said. "Im always going to work hard and continue to be the best player I can be to help my team win." "Honestly I didnt even worry about it," he continued. "We didnt get two, doesnt matter, we got one and thats a big statement for our team. [DeRozans] going to represent our team and hes going to represent us well." DeRozan joins Johnson, Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat, Wall, the Indiana Pacers Roy Hibbert, Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks Paul Millsap on the East squad, along with starters LeBron James and Dwyane Wade of the Heat, Indianas Paul George, Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers Kyrie Irving. Matt Miazga Jersey . He will be practicing with the Norfolk Admirals (AHL) on a conditioning assignment. - @AnaheimDucks Corey Perry has a knee sprain and will miss the next three to four weeks. Christian Pulisic Jersey . Yet heading to New York, the Habs remain positive as it all comes down to the one main ingredient that the organization has built its team on - character. http://www.usasoccerauthority.com/jesse-gonzalez-usa-jersey/. The Blue Jackets play Thursday night at New Jersey in their first game after the NHLs Olympic hiatus. A native of Trencin, Slovakia, Gaborik has represented his country at the 2006 and 2010 Olympics but was unable to play in Sochi because of his injury. Justin Morrow Jersey .com) - The New York Rangers hope to punch their ticket to the second round when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday for a Game 6 battle at Wells Fargo Center. Paul Arriola Jersey .com) - The NFL is investigating whether the New England Patriots intentionally deflated balls during Sundays AFC Championship Game against Indianapolis.Louis van Gaal is thankful for Sir Alex Fergusons support but remains well aware that failing to finish the season with a flourish will put his Manchester United future in jeopardy. This has been yet another frustrating campaign for the 20-time league champions, with inconsistent displays meaning Champions League qualification and FA Cup success is the best they can hope for.It is a far cry from the successes enjoyed during Fergusons tenure, but the former United boss this week defended the Dutchman and urged fans to be patient. Van Gaal was thankful for that support, along with remarkable backing from the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, managing director Richard Arnold and director David Gill.He knows that support can only go so far, though, and is aware his position will come under further scrutiny if they fail to finish in the top four.I cannot say [I will be here if we fail to make the top four] because I think the board has to evaluate after the results of this year what they have to do, the United boss said.I think that is normal and I cannot predict that when I do not know the facts.First you have to see the facts, I have always said that. The results and also the titles or the Champions League positions, you can only say at the May 15 yes, it is like that or like that. Louis van Gaal has set his sights on a top three Premier League finish Then you have to evaluate the circumstances how I had to work in the season. An example of that is in the [Sky Sports] interview of Sir Alex.I am a rational person. I know that a manager of Manchester United has to win something, but I am still working on that.Van Gaal says every match counts now for United, who welcome Everton to Old Trafford in a Super Sunday clash buoyed by their victory at rivals Manchester City before the international break. There was late drama when Man Utd played Everton in 2012 United are sixth in the standings, just a point off fourth-placed City, and with an FA Cup quarter-final replay at West Ham to come on April 13.ddddddddddddAsked if he would be surprised to lose his job if United fail to make the top four, Van Gaal added: I cannot say that because I do not know the next eight matches. Jamie Redknapp gives his thoughts ahead of Super Sunday You can only evaluate when you have the total facts and now I cannot say that and my board cannot say that either because we have to play matches still.Also we have to play against West Ham United, then Everton and then the final.Van Gaal also responded to comments by former player Angel Di Maria that he was unable to settle at Old Trafford due to being played out of position. Van Gaal was not impressed with comments made by Angel Di Maria I have never seen [many] players who looks at himself, who looks to the way they have performed here and that is always the fault of the manager, said Van Gaal.So he is one of the players who are in the row of players who have no self-criticism and, unfortunately, it is also my life as a manager. It is always like that.Watch Manchester United v Everton on Super Sunday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 3:30pm, after Leicester v Southampton. 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