Suns goaltender Chris Paul won his 11th career All-Star with the official announcement Tuesday night from Eastern and Western Conference Reserves, but some league players believe a of his teammates are expected to join him in Atlanta for this year’s festivities.
Devin Booker is averaging 24.7 points, 4.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game this season while shooting 50.1% from the field and 38.1% from a distance of 3 points. Phoenix was fourth in the West standings (20-10) in Tuesday’s play list, so the stats were barely empty. Still, NBA coaches, who picked the reservists for the All-Star Game, didn’t feel that was enough to put Booker past Paul, Anthony Davis, Paul George, Rudy Gobert, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell and Zion Williamson.
NBA ALL-STAR 2021: Complete list of starters, reserves
Lakers forward LeBron James, who is one of the All-Star captains with Kevin Durant, expressed his support for Booker and said he was “the least respected player in our league.” He also yelled at Lillard, who lost a tiebreaker with Luka Doncic for one of the West’s starting guard posts.
Devin Booker is the least respected player in our league !!! As simple as that.
– LeBron James (@KingJames) February 24, 2021
James was hardly alone in his frustration. A few current and former NBA players were shocked that Booker’s name was not called out.
Thin @DevinBook really not done? It’s crazy. Bruh really cold too smh. Sick world
– CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) February 24, 2021
How the hell is @DevinBook not an ALL STAR? !!!!
Come on bruh !!!!! Stop with the politics !!! We all see it !!!!– Jared Dudley (@ JaredDudley619) February 24, 2021
D The book was stolen without a GUN … this is unacceptable … Period
– DeMarre Carroll (@ DeMarreCarroll1) February 24, 2021
Don’t get mad Devin Booker, be EVEN !! Make a list, put all the coaches in the West and their teams on it! What if i am @ CP3, play as Drew “Bundini” Brown, be in his ear before every game by saying “I bet he didn’t vote for you either”. The fireworks are coming, I’m ready for the popcorn
– Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) February 24, 2021
Hold up got Damn it !!! You mean to tell me that Booker and Sabonis weren’t on the All-Star squad ?! It’s just ridiculous. Real conversation!
– Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 23, 2021
Booker may still have a shot at being an All-Star, however.
In the event of an injury, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver may choose a replacement player. Davis is unlikely to appear in the All-Star Game as he continues to recover from a calf injury, which opens the door for Silver to quash a perceived snub. As noted by Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News, Silver does not have to select a frontcourt player to fill Davis’ place, but the replacement must be a Western Conference player.
Booker, maybe?