Phoenix Suns Devin Booker’s performance not rewarded by All-Star selection
![Devin Booker after practice on Friday](https://nevalleynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/booker-snub.png)
Devin Booker after practice on Friday
February 2, 2020
Thursday evening, the NBA announced the 14 All-Star reserves for 2020.
Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker was a break-out star that was not among them.
Many people predicted that Booker was a sure pick for the NBA All-Star game this year.
Booker, 23, is putting together another great season in his fourth year. According to nba.com, Booker is averaging 27.1 points, and 6.4 assist per game.
Unlike Bookers first three seasons, this was his first time competing for a spot on the All-Star team, coming into the break.
The Suns are currently seeded number 11 in the Western Conference and find themselves 4 ½ games out of the playoffs, but trail Portland and San Antonio by only 2 ½ games for ninth place.
Ben Rohrbach reported Jan. 31, for Yahoo Sports, that Booker and Washington Wizards, guard, Bradley Beal could become the first two players to average over 27 points and not make the All-Star team.
Following Friday’s practice, Booker was asked how he would change the All-Star selection format.
“Put in the best players,” he said.
Booker is averaging more points than two-time, All-Star MVP, Russell Westbrook, who is averaging 26.3 points-per-game and is shooting more efficiently.
According to nba.com Booker is shooting 51% from the field, 36.5% from the three-point line and has a 91.9% free-throw percentage, compared to Westbrook who is shooting 45.4% from the field, 23.4% from the arc and 79.1% from the free-throw line.
The All-Star selections seem to be influenced by player history and team success more than current production.
On Jan. 26, Booker became the fourth youngest player to reach 7,000 career points. Last month, he was averaging 31.3 points per game.
Although Booker was denied a chance at the All-Star game, he will be able to get valuable rest for the second-half of the season, when he and the Suns will look to make a playoff push. This will be the first time in his career that he will be playing in meaningful games, this late in the season.