Still astounded to see Tim Duncan’s run of 13 consecutive All-Star appearances end last February, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich already has begun stumping for his star big man three months ahead of this season’s game in Houston.

Step one of the campaign appears to be to remind voters — and fellow coaches who select reserves — of last season’s snub.

“I thought he played well enough in the West to be on the All-Star team,” Popovich said. “I thought that was a big mistake, and I thought a lack of respect for how well he played last year. He’s done the same thing this year.”

The sample size is small, but 12 games into his 16th NBA season, Duncan is turning in numbers that would rival the best seasons of his All-Star prime.

The 36-year-old is averaging 18.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, while shooting 51.6 percent from the field.

via Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News