Lowe: Devin Booker has All-Star case if not for lack of Suns’ success
Jan 23, 2018, 1:50 PM
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, drives against Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, in Denver. The Nuggets won 134-111. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Devin Booker continues to join elite company in just his third NBA season. Unlike past young stars, he is unlikely to receive the same attention.
LeBron James, Tracy McGrady and Derrick Rose made the All-Star Game by the time they were 21 years old. Although Booker has comparable numbers, he likely won’t be selected.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe announced his All-Star rosters Tuesday morning and as many Suns fans might expect, Booker did not make the cut. While he wasn’t named to the team, Lowe listed Booker among the players who are under consideration to earn a spot.
Booker has the numbers, and he’s made huge and important strides as a playmaker. He may be in this game next season. But with this field, you can’t reward a guy performing under zero pressure for an awful team that took a collective nap on the court until its coach got fired.
Of the Western Conference players named, Booker is the only one in contention playing for a team with a losing record (17-30). Additionally, 11 of the 12 players have previously made an All-Star Game with Karl-Anthony Towns being the sole exception.
From a numbers perspective, it would likely be a no-brainer for Booker to make an All-Star roster. This season, he is averaging career-highs in points (25.0), rebounds (4.5) and assists (4.7). Additionally, he is shooting efficiently from the floor (43.7 percent), beyond the arc (38.2) and at the free throw line (88.7), all career-best numbers.
Despite his individual success, the Suns have been one of the weakest teams in the NBA throughout Booker’s young career. Phoenix is a combined 64-147 and had three different head coaches since drafting Booker in 2015.
The Suns haven’t had a representative at the All-Star Game since the 2011-12 season, Steve Nash’s final year with Phoenix. The drought will extend to six seasons if Booker is left off the roster.
At 21 years old, a poor team record and lack of high pressure scenarios might keep Booker out of the game this year. But with his potential not fully unlocked and an undeniable scoring prowess, it is a matter of time until he makes his first appearance.
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