Suns guard Devin Booker chosen to replace injured Lakers forward Anthony Davis on NBA All-Star team
Devin Booker is an NBA All-Star.
Again. Finally.
After not making it as a reserve as voted on by the Western Conference coaches, Booker was chosen Wednesday by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis for the All-Star Game on March 7 in Atlanta.
Davis is expected to be out during the All-Star break while recovering from a calf strain.
Last season, Booker made his first ever All-Star appearance as an injury replacement for Damian Lillard, who spoke on Booker's behalf and fueled support for him to be added.
This time, Booker was viewed as a near-lock to make it as he's led Phoenix (20-10) to the fourth-best record in the NBA, but he once again was passed over when TNT announced the East and West reserves Tuesday night.
An immediate reaction to the news broke loose as LeBron James tweeted that Booker is the "most disrespected player" in the NBA. Then later Tuesday night, Booker's new backcourt mate, Chris Paul, who made it for the 11th time in his 16-year career, said "Book is an All-Star."
Less than 24 hours later, Booker is officially an All-Star for a second consecutive year.
Finally.
"We were pretty down about it," Suns coach Monty Williams said. "Happy for Chris, but we understood the situation at the time was a bit weird for us when Devin didn't get the call, but we're grateful for what's transpired over the last few hours. Just happy for Book, (Booker's dad) Melvin (Booker), his mother. his sister, his family, his brothers. All those people that have been with him this whole time."
Booker is averaging a team-high 24.7 points per game with 4.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds, while shooting 50.1% from the field (a career high), 38.1% from 3-point range and 84.8% from the free throw line in 26 games this season.
The last time the Suns had two players on an All-Star team was the 2009-10 season, when Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire were selected.
Follow Duane Rankin on Twitter @DuaneRankin.