All-Star weekend is just a couple days away and the Phoenix Suns do not have any one representing the team for the main game. Could they next year?
Another season is quickly passing, although with the Phoenix Suns it feels like it’s taking forever because all this losing is torture. It’s All-Star Weekend again and Phoenix doesn’t have any one representing the team in the big game, again.
Devin Booker will be defending his title in the 3-Point Contest although he will have a rough battle to maintain his crown as he’s only shooting 32.5% from downtown this season. That’s down almost 6 percent from last season’s 38.3% clip.
Deandre Ayton will be participating in the Rising Stars Challenge and for once he will have a point guard that can feed him the ball. Being from the Bahamas, he will be playing for the World Team. Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ben Simmons will all get turns at running the show and the big man in the middle should get more than his fair share of feeds.
These contests are fun and it’s an honor for these two players to get the opportunity. However, the Suns are not sending anyone to the actual game on Sunday. That is a disappointment and needs to change soon. It could change as soon as next year.
Booker is the franchise player in Phoenix, has shown signs of stardom and has gotten better every season. If the team had a better record than it does since he joined the team, he likely would have been an All-Star already. Winning only a quarter of his games each season is not going to get him the looks he deserves. Despite being in the top 15 in both points and assists per game this season, he isn’t going to get that look unless the Suns start winning more games.
Ayton was the first pick in the draft for a reason and he’s already showing how dominant he can be on the offensive end. With a point guard and another year of experience under his belt, he will only be better. He’s the first rookie in Suns history to be averaging a double-double on the season. Averaging at least 20 points and 11 rebounds next season is definitely obtainable.
Phoenix needs to have a strong season and the losing needs to stop. The team needs to start winning and at least contend for a playoff spot. However, if that happens this summer, then next year, these two young players will be appreciated and respected more around the league and have a legit chance at representing the Suns in the All-Star Game.