For the first time in years, the Golden State Warriors do not have a member of their team participating in the NBA All-Star Game. While the 2019-20 edition of the Warriors may not have a player competing at an All-Star level, the Phoenix Suns have a different argument.
Joining the Warriors on the outside of All-Star weekend is Suns’ shooting guard, Devin Booker. The Kentucky Wildcat product is averaging 26.4 points, 6.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game. Booker is shooting a career-best 49.9 % from the field, adding 36.2 % from beyond the arc.
Booker has been a centerpiece for the Suns’ steady improvement, leading them to 21 wins before the All-Star break. Over the past four seasons, Phoenix has had win totals of 19, 21, 24 and 23 for the entire year.
However, Booker’s efficient season wasn’t enough to get a nod to the 2020 All-Star game in Chicago.
The Golden State Warriors’ head coach, Steve Kerr was an advocate to get Booker into the game and was disappointed when the Suns’ shooting guard didn’t get a bid from the Western Conference. Before Golden State tipped off against Booker and the Suns, Kerr told reporters in Phoenix that he voted for Booker to get into the game.
I agree with them on the All-Star part — I voted for him, and I’m not just saying that cause we’re playing against them tonight — I’m not saying that to butter him up. I think he’s had an All-Star year; I think he’s been fantastic — the efficiency, the Suns’ overall improvement — I think he’s played a huge role in it, and I was disappointed for him. I don’t know him, but just watching him — he’s an All-Star player. It happens every year though — you get a couple of guys left out, and you think, ‘well, they deserved it’ and then you look at the team and go, ‘everybody on the team pretty much deserved it too’— so it’s never an easy math equation.
"I voted for him."#DubNation coach Steve Kerr on Devin Booker, who didn't make the #NBAAllStar game. #Suns pic.twitter.com/QUkWFNUD9C
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 13, 2020
Although their coach is a fan of Booker’s game, it’ll be Golden State’s final challenge before the All-Star break to slow him down. Damion Lee, Jordan Poole and Ky Bowman will be tasked with containing Booker on his All-Star revenge tour.
A quick stop in Phoenix will be the Warriors’ final chance to end their current three-game losing streak before the All-Star break.