Waxing the Utah Jazz last night with a 43-point outburst, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker put together quite the argument as to why he should be named a starter for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.
Strolling up and down Vivint Arena’s floor like a lawyer making his case, he seized command of the courtroom, backing up his reasoning with exquisite plays one after the other.
Booker first presented his improved shot making efficiency as some key evidence, shooting 57.1 percent from the field. Although never a poor free-throw shooter, he also went 9-11 at the charity stripe to bolster his argument.
He also called Joe Ingles to the stand as a key witness, who experienced Booker’s improved defense first hand, with Book holding him to just six points in 25 minutes played. Even while following around the hot shooting Aussie like a shadow on a sunny day, Booker also came away with a team-high 12 rebounds.
But despite this spirited closing statement, the jury made up of NBA fans, coaches, and media members alike ruled against Booker, with Ja Morant and Stephen Curry recently announced as the All-Star Game’s starting backcourt. Although Booker remains all but certain to still make the team, he will do so as a reserve for the third straight year.
Ernie Johnson says Devin Booker was third in the player vote for the Western Conference backcourt.
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) January 28, 2022
Fan voting made this verdict somewhat predictable, as even Golden State’s Klay Thompson stood above Booker in the previous poll results despite having played just seven games this season. Similar anomalies occurred over in the East with Derrick Rose outscoring Darius Garland and Jaylen Brown, but that is neither here nor there.
It goes without saying that neither Curry nor Morant deserve to be taken off as starters. Having put together near-MVP level seasons, this dismissal of Booker certainly comes just as a by-product of the loaded backcourt talent in the Western Conference rather than anything else. Other names left off including Luka Doncic, Chris Paul, and Donovan Mitchell also feel like alternates made only out of abundance as well.
But with Booker enjoying arguably his best season and leading the Suns to an NBA-best 38-9 record, this news must come as somewhat of a disappointment for the team and fans alike. Regardless, Booker expressed some disinterest in the subject last night though, mentioning that his worries lie elsewhere now being at a “different phase in career.”
Devin Booker was asked about Monty Williams' comments that the All-Star voting was laughable. He said he's more concerned about getting Monty in as ASG coach.
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) January 27, 2022
"I mean, I appreciate it, but I'm not worried about that anymore. I'm in a different phase in my career."
It might feel difficult to remember at this point, but a few years back, Booker and his entourage had to campaign here and there for his first All-Star appearance. But back then, Booker was a guy less associated with winning, as the Suns missed the playoffs each year until the last.
For him, that All-Star was likely the only recognition he would get for the season, as sad as that might sound for a player of his caliber back then.
Now with Booker having made the NBA Finals last season and with his eyes clearly set on returning this year to offer a sequel with an ending more to his liking, it makes sense for him to no longer care so extensively about the All-Star Game.
With that noted, Suns fans should do the same. Feeling upset about Booker falling off this contest’s starting lineup card is the equivalent of crying over spilled milk. As Jon Snow once said, “there is only one war that matters, the great war.”
For all NBA fans, that war is getting closer than you think, with the playoffs soon-to-be just two months away.