Blake Griffin feels honored to have reached the NBA All-Star Game for the sixth time in his career. Recorded Jan. 31, 2019. Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press

Blake Griffin admitted he had come to enjoy the seven-day break after missing the NBA All-Star Game for three straight seasons.

But he's OK with breaking that streak after learning his resurgent season with the Detroit Pistons earned him the sixth appearance of his nine-year career.

"It's an honor to be able to represent the Pistons, represent your team this weekend," Griffin said Thursday night following the Pistons' 93-89 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. "I don't take that for granted or take it likely."

Griffin's selection by the coaches is probably the Pistons' most deserving selection since Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace were Eastern Conference reserves in 2008.

Allen Iverson earned a ceremonial start in 2009; Andre Drummond has made the game twice, but there were detractors over the selections.

Griffin's berth is a no-brainer.

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When the league convenes in Charlotte on Feb. 14-17, Griffin will be making his sixth All-Star appearance, and first since 2015. His previous appearances were with the Los Angeles Clippers, who dealt Griffin to the Pistons a little over a year ago.

Blake Griffin has been excellent for the Pistons this season. (Photo: Tim Fuller USA TODAY Sports)

Captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo will draft their teams for the All-Star Game, choosing from a player pool that includes the other eight starters and 14 reserves, regardless of conference designation. The player draft will be Feb. 7 on TNT at 7 p.m.

Although the Pistons (22-28) have struggled since a 13-7 start to the season, Griffin has carried the team.

In 47 games entering Thursday, Griffin was averaging 26.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.

He has scored 30-plus points 18 times and scored a career-high 50 vs. the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 23. Griffin has recorded 18 games with 20-plus points, five-plus rebounds and five-plus assists – the most in a season by a Piston since Jerry Stackhouse in 2000-01. For the season, he joins Antetokounmpo and James as the only players averaging 25-plus points, eight-plus rebounds and five-plus assists.

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Pistons coach Dwane Casey broke news during pregame media availability.

From the feedback the Pistons coach received from his fellow coaches, Griffin was going to hear his name called.

“If he doesn’t make it, I’m going to be mad at a lot of people, a lot of coaches out there that I’ve connected with,” Casey said. “I’m going to try to get my votes back (if he’s not voted in).”

No worries, Griffin was among the Eastern Conference reserves selected by the coaches (full roster). The announcement was made on TNT.

Mavs guard Jalen Brunson shoots around Pistons forward Blake Griffin on Thursday. (Photo: Gregory Shamus, Getty Images)

"It's an honor," Griffin said. "It's always nice to be there and be recognized. There are a lot of guys that deserve to play in the game that weekend that don't get to so you don't take it for granted when you do make it."

It has been a bounce-back season for Griffin, who suffered through several injury marred seasons before this return to greatness. Griffin credits an offseason of good health.

Casey says he lobbied fellow coaches.

“He deserves it – whether I made texts or calls, he deserves it,” Casey said. “He’s playing at an All-Pro level. He’s way above what I expected as a player. His I.Q., his ability to play on the perimeter with the basketball.

“He’s our option A and A-B. He’s our biggest producer. The numbers tell it when he’s on the floor. It’s a different level when he’s off the floor, we’re a different team.”

Pistons center Andre Drummond did not make the team. He has reached the game twice previously.

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On Jan. 29, 2018, the Pistons and Clippers struck a huge deal centered around Blake Griffin. We look at how the key pieces are faring, 1 year later. Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press