{"id":121047,"date":"2025-01-30T20:15:45","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T01:15:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=121047"},"modified":"2025-01-30T20:15:45","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T01:15:45","slug":"suns-star-snubbed-as-nba-all-star-reserve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/01\/30\/suns-star-snubbed-as-nba-all-star-reserve\/","title":{"rendered":"Suns Star Snubbed As NBA All-Star Reserve"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NBA All-Star<\/a> reserves were announced on Thursday night, and there was a notable absentee from the list:\u00a0Phoenix Suns<\/a> star Devin Booker<\/a>. Instead, Anthony Edwards<\/a> and James Harden<\/a> were selected by NBA coaches as the Western Conference<\/a> guards.<\/p>\n

This means that Kevin Durant<\/a> is the Suns\u2019 sole representative at this year\u2019s event in San Francisco after he was chosen as a starter by the fans, players and media. He joins Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a>, Steph Curry<\/a>, LeBron James<\/a> and Nikola Jokic<\/a> as the West starters.<\/p>\n

Suns Star Snubbed As NBA All-Star Reserve<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Booker May Not Add to Four All-Star Appearances<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Booker has earned four All-Star appearances in 10 seasons. His first two selections in 2020 and 2021 were as injury replacements, though he did not play in the latter campaign due to his own injury. He was also selected in 2022, where he was coached by then-Suns head coach Monty Williams<\/a>, and in 2024. If there are any withdrawals this season, Booker will certainly be under consideration.<\/p>\n

A slow start to the season perhaps plays a big role in Booker\u2019s non-selection. In the first 15 games<\/a>, he averaged 23.5 points on 43% efficiency, both career lows since his sophomore season. The Suns\u2019 poor record likely also impacted his chances, with his struggles gaining more focus due to their position on the cusp of the play-in places for much of the season.<\/p>\n

However, Booker has looked much more like himself in recent weeks. The Suns have seen a significant upturn in form, winning nine of their last 13 games<\/a>. This improvement is largely helped by the greater and more assertive displays of Booker. During this stretch, he has produced 27.6 points per game<\/a>, including six 30+ outings in his last 10. His rejuvenation actually stretches back further; in his last 20 games<\/a>, he has been producing an average of 26 points.<\/p>\n

Booker Comparison to Other All-Star Guards<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In the final voting, Booker finished as the ninth-highest guard<\/a> in the West, due to his lowly ranks in the fan and media votes. The players voted him fifth, behind the two starters, and Edwards and Kyrie Irving<\/a>. So how does he compare to those considered ahead of him?<\/p>\n

Gilgeous-Alexander is on course for a first MVP award. There should be no argument over his deserving inclusion as a starter. His backcourt partner Curry, however, offers debate. He finished second in each of the fan, media and player votes, comfortably confirming his start in what is a home All-Star game.<\/p>\n

However, how much better has Curry been than Booker, if at all? There is not much between their performances, though Booker has a slight edge. The Suns guard is averaging over three more points per game<\/a> (25.5), as well as contributing 0.4 more assists. Curry leads in rebounds and three-point shooting, unsurprisingly. Booker just about leads in overall shooting percentage — 44.4% to 44.2%. Ultimately, the Golden State Warriors<\/a> star\u2019s popularity far outweighs that of Booker.<\/p>\n

Edwards and Harden got the nod for the West, and the two wildcard picks went to frontcourt players. The former could be argued for a starting place over Curry — he is outscoring all Western Conference guards not named Gilgeous-Alexander and is also providing excellent defence. Harden averages fewer points than both, but has produced 8.4 assists, leading the LA Clippers<\/a> to sixth, mostly in the absence of Kawhi Leonard<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While a fifth All-Star berth would have been welcome, Booker has more pressing issues for now, hoping to lead the Suns back into the playoff places in their quest for a first NBA Championship.<\/p>\n

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Book is 1-of-3 Western Conference guards with at least 14 30-point games this season (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Anthony Edwards) pic.twitter.com\/dPBC0fHHzn<\/a><\/p>\n

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 30, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n