Chris Paul No. 3 of the Phoenix Suns talks to No. 1 Devin Booker during the second half of the NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Phoenix Suns Arena on December 29, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns will have an All-Star this season, but there’s a good case they should have had two. While police officer Chris Paul was appointed Tuesday to the Western Conference star reserves, the Devin Booker shooting was not.
Those of Athletic Shams Charania first reported the news.
For the second year in a row, Booker was not named to the original All-Star booking list. He was a substitute for injuries to Portland goalie Damian Lillard last year and could be in line for that spot again with Los Angeles Davis Davis striker Anthony Davis in reserve.
Their numbers per game this season have dropped, but their efficiency has increased. Booker averages 24.7 points, 4.3 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game as he throws a 50% run from the field. It is also getting 38% from the three points.
Booker is coming strong in the last 20-10 Suns, who have won 12 of their last 14 by Tuesday. Its monthly averages reflect its steady tuning as the year has gone by, averaging 20.2 points in December, 24.3 in January and 26.8 points through February.
While coaches ’votes for the All-Star reserves already had to win before Phoenix won the Portland Trail Blazers Monday night, Booker’s 34-point explosion in 29 minutes exemplified his impact on the team as it crossed to a second consecutive 30 plus one-point victory.
“There’s no doubt about it,” coach Monty Williams said after the 132-100 victory. “No one can debate Book is not an All-Star. End of story. “
Paul, in his 16th NBA season, ranked sixth in the league in assists per game (8.5), including a 19-assist performance against the Pelicans on Friday night.
Paul, who was acquired in the Oklahoma City Thunder through trade this offseason, averages 16.6 points, 8.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 49% from the field and 40% from the depth.
Paul has made 10 trips to the All-Star Game so far this season. He made an annual pilgrimage between 2008 and 2016 and reappeared last season with Oklahoma City.
Paul will be joined on this year’s Western Conference star list by starting guardians Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic, as well as starting linebackers LeBron James, Nikola Jokic and Kawhi Leonard.
The NBA All-Star Game will be held at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Sunday, March 7th.
The following are the reservations of the Western Conference reported by Charania:
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz
Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans