NBA All-Star: Top-Ten League Leading Scorer Snubbed Despite Historic Numbers
KEY POINTS
- Devin Booker has been putting up historic numbers with 27 points per game
- The All-Star reserves were announced today
- Devin Booker did not make the team despite his stats
The 2020 All-Star game reserves have just been released. This year’s roster includes a variety of scorers, facilitators and rim protectors. But just like any other season, there will always be the All-Star snubs. These players have played at the highest levels but just were unable to get the recognition due to position limitations.
One of the biggest snubs of this season is Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker. The fifth-year scorer has been one of the best young stars to grace the court ever since his debut. Throughout his career, he’s known to be a lethal offensive threat with his complete scoring arsenal at his disposal. He showed this in full display when he became the youngest player ever to score over 60 points in a game when he torched for 70 against the Boston Celtics in 2017.
This season he has increased the level of play as he’s been leading the charge to put the Phoenix Suns back to relevance. His team is currently in 11th place in the Western Conference as they are battling neck and neck for the eighth seed. As the team’s leading scorer he has been putting up superstar status numbers. He’s currently the eighth top scorer of the league and has been on a tear offensively. Devin Booker is racking up statistics of 27.1 points and 6.4 assists per game while shooting at a high 51% from the field.
Per Sports Center, his performance this season is in level with all-time greats such as Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Steph Curry, Larry Bird and Oscar Robertson. The only difference is these legends made the All-Star team when they put up their stellar numbers.
Devin Booker has not been selected to the All-Star Game.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 31, 2020
The only other players in NBA history to average 27 PPG and 6 APG on 50% shooting in a season are LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Steph Curry and Oscar Robertson. pic.twitter.com/HW0PjHa6EL
Devin Booker’s failure to make the team raised a lot of questions from fans. There are some who started the discourse of what constitutes an All-Star: Stats or numbers? Trae Young was named as an All-Star starter last week in recognition of his individual success. But the young Hawks guard’s team is dead last in the Eastern Conference.
All I ask for is consistency from the NBA. If you tell me winning matters — then don’t let Trae Young start at PG with a 12-36 record. But if he does, you’re telling me stats matter more — in which case Devin Booker shouldn’t be behind Chris damn Paul.
— andrew leezus (@AndrewLeezus) January 31, 2020
Simple.
Phoenix Suns GM James Jones has released a statement: “I’ve played with and against multiple All-Stars in this league and Devin Booker is undoubtedly an NBA All Star.”
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 31, 2020
Even Trae Young himself is in disbelief that his fellow competitor failed to make the cut.
D Book should’ve gotten in....🤦🏽♂️
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 30, 2020
Devin Booker’s hope now for an All-Star berth is if an injury replacement occurs. But until that announcement happens, the 23-year-old will have to watch the All-Star Weekend on February 14-16 as a snub.
![Devin Booker Phoenix Suns Luka Doncic Dallas Mavericks](https://d.ibtimes.com/en/full/2912920/devin-booker-phoenix-suns-luka-doncic-dallas-mavericks.jpg?w=736&f=be5508d6e78e4c71452598667faf7df1)
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.