Decided to start this now but I was going to do it a week ago after listening to a podcast that made the case for Booker being an All-Star this year, I can't recall which podcast it was though.
I know the Suns had been in a slump but based on play and numbers Booker should not be snubbed this year. The Suns are better than in the past so record shouldn't be an excuse any longer and if you look around the West, it's hard to find 4 or 5 guards that are playing considerably better than Booker. There will be 2 starters and 3-4 guards as reserves and Booker definitely is a top 6 guard in the West this season. I don't see Booker being voted into the starting lineup but that's all a popularity contest anyways and if you don't play in a major market it's hard to get the nod as a starter.
Last year the guards selected for the team were James Harden and Steph Curry as starters. Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, and Klay Thompson were the reserves in the West. Take Curry and Klay out this year since neither are healthy, and Klay hasn't played at all. Westbrook's numbers have fallen off since being traded to Houston and he's not a lock by any means. Lillard has been good but the Blazers haven't been. Lillard is likely to get a spot still. Looking at the ballot they have Luka listed as a guard and he's likely to be a starter with Harden so reserves there will be Lillard and who else? Donovan Mitchell is averaging 25.2 ppg with 4.2 apg and 4.6 rpg on a Utah team that is 21-12 right now. Booker is averaging 24.9 ppg with 6.4 apg and 4.0 rpg. There are no other guards putting up numbers like that on a team ahead of the Suns in the standings.
The only other guards on a team that are ahead of the Suns in the standings that might get a look are in OKC. Chris Paul, Shai, and Schroeder are all posting similar stat-lines to each other on a team that was supposed to be awful but they're 17-15 right now. Shai is averaging 19.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 2.8 apg. Schroeder is averaging 18.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, and 3.6 apg. Paul is averaging 16.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, and 6.5 apg. If any of those 3 get in, I think it will be Paul but Shai is probably more deserving. Schroeder is playing as a 6th man, which makes him the least likely to get All-Star recognition. I'd still say Booker is more deserving than those 3 and not just because I'm a Suns fan. Those numbers don't scream All-Star. Since they're all producing similarly it shows how it's more of a team effort than an individual leading them to where they are.
Here's an article from Yahoo that predicts who will be All-Stars and Booker is listed as their first reserve so it seems like Booker is getting recognition for the Suns hot start and also is being excused some for it's poor play in their recent losing streak.
https://sports.yahoo.com/inarguable...0-nba-all-star-game-selections-223716800.html