Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker, Chris Paul not named All-Star Game starters

The Phoenix Suns’ starting backcourt of Devin Booker and Chris Paul both had cases to start the All-Star Game but did not get those spots in the Western Conference.

TNT’s Inside the NBA revealed the starters for each conference on Thursday, with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant getting the two backcourt spots in the West.

The fan vote accounted for 50% of the total vote, with two slices of 25% going to the media and player vote.

Morant is having a spectacular season, averaging 25.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game while shooting 48.9% from the field on the 33-17 Grizzlies.

If there’s an argument for Booker or Paul to take a spot, it would have been Curry’s. The MVP favorite six weeks into the season has dramatically tailed off, going through the worst shooting stretch of his career since his rookie season.

Curry’s field goal percentage in January sits at 36.5%, and after a 40.4% mark in December, his season number is at 41.6%. Even with that in mind, the Warriors are still 35-13 and Curry’s line of 25.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists a night is still worthy of a spot.

The Suns’ top record in the NBA of 38-9 certainly was a strong headliner on the resumes of Booker and Paul but was not enough for them to start. With that in mind, they are all but locks to make the team as reserves.

Booker is coming off a torrid January, now posting 25.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game with a 44.2 FG%. While Paul’s scoring is lower at 14.5 PPG, he’s tied for the league lead in APG (10.1) and third in steals per game (1.9).

The NBA’s head coaches will determine the reserves spot, with the final seven bench spots made up of three frontcourt spots, two for the backcourt and two wildcard positions.

The All-Star Game is in Cleveland on Feb. 20.

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