Booker misses out on All-Star team

[elindholm]

The reserve guards in the West are Westbrook, Lillard, Klay Thompson, and Jimmy Butler. I thought Booker was in the mix, but you can't complain about the choices they made.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

The reserve guards in the West are Westbrook, Lillard, Klay Thompson, and Jimmy Butler. I thought Booker was in the mix, but you can't complain about the choices they made.

I don't like Westbrook, but he's a no-brainer all-star. Butler is pretty undeniable as well.

Lillard is putting up stats on a playoff contender and Thompson is a star on the best team in the league. I'd take Booker over both of them right now, but I have an admitted bias.

 

[Praxis]

I think Booker will be an all star next season. Even Greek Freak took four years to get selected. He needs to keep improving and eventually he'll be starting every year.

 

[Mainstreet]

It's all about winning. The Suns record at 17-30 didn't cut it.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

I think Booker will be an all star next season. Even Greek Freak took four years to get selected. He needs to keep improving and eventually he'll be starting every year.

Jared Dudley agrees with you on multiple levels.

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[AsUpRoDiGy]

Booker has near identical stats to Butler, except Booker is averaging 4 points more per game. Not many people know about him yet since the Suns aren't relevant.

 

[Praxis]

Jared Dudley agrees with you on multiple levels.

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Dudley is a smart man. Kristaps is good, but definitely benefits from playing in a big market. Butler got in on reputation. Oladipo is having a great season but he's 3.5 years older than Booker. KAT and Booker are in a similar positions. They need to take the next step and then there will be no denying them spots.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

Booker has near identical stats to Butler, except Booker is averaging 4 points more per game. Not many people know about him yet since the Suns aren't relevant.

There's a pretty big difference on defense too though.

 

[ColdPickleNachos]

At least there's this:

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[Praxis]

My bad, KAT did get in as a reserve. Horford and Love are totally undeserving but there will always be those guys on all-star reserves due to the system in place.

 

[Mainstreet]

At least there's this:

They had to include Booker in some activity. He is too good to be ignored.

 

[GatorAZ]

Booker has near identical stats to Butler, except Booker is averaging 4 points more per game. Not many people know about him yet since the Suns aren't relevant.

Booker is averaging 4 more points on 4 more shots. Butler is averaging more assists, rebounds, steals and shooting the highest % of his career.

Spoiler

and plays defense

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

Booker is averaging 4 more points on 4 more shots. Butler is averaging more assists, rebounds, steals and shooting the highest % of his career.

Spoiler

and plays defense

Indeed, but Booker is literally right behind him in all those categories. Butler is definitely much better at defense, though...obviously.

 

[Hoop Head]

Glad to see Lillard make it. He's one of my favorite players that isn't a Sun. He's been snubbed the last 2 years also.

Here's a link to view all of the selections plus some reasoning for them...
https://sports.yahoo.com/reports-kr...n-named-2018-nba-star-reserves-233930807.html

It lists snubs for the West as Paul George, Chris Paul, and Louis Williams. I'm sorry but Booker deserves to be mentioned ahead of Lou Williams, who is playing well but he's also on a team that is outside of the playoffs right now.

I think they should allow 13 players from each conference since teams can have 13 active players nowadays so why shouldn't the All-Star teams have the same amount? It's not like the game is any more than a glorified exhibition.

 

[elindholm]

It lists snubs for the West as Paul George, Chris Paul, and Louis Williams. I'm sorry but Booker deserves to be mentioned ahead of Lou Williams, who is playing well but he's also on a team that is outside of the playoffs right now.

I would guess that Williams is mentioned as a snub because Doc Rivers tried to launch a campaign for him. I heard about it on the Clippers broadcast last night.

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

It's all about winning. The Suns record at 17-30 didn't cut it.

If Book was on any team other than this trainwreck Suns he probably would have been an all star? He maybe the face of the Suns but it comes at a cost...right now.

 

[Mainstreet]

If Book was on any team other than this trainwreck Suns he probably would have been an all star? He maybe the face of the Suns but it comes at a cost...right now.

I think it depends on the team. If Booker continues to progress, he cannot be denied next season.

 

[Hoop Head]

I think this might be the last year the Warriors send 4 players to the ASG also. I know Curry and Durant are perennial All-Stars and Green is deserving but Klay will be dropped sooner than later as long as he stays with Golden State. He puts up good numbers but Booker's stats are better than his, so are Lou Williams, and other SG's in the West.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

It's all about winning. The Suns record at 17-30 didn't cut it.

I know it is something that they factor in, but I don't think they should. When it comes to all pro selections it should have a lot to do with winning, but the all star game should be all about the most exciting and individually talented players. Booker is absolutely top 12 in the west in those regards.

 

[JCSunsfan]

There are a lot of good players to choose from. Booker deserves to be there, but so do others.

 

[Quagmire]

Do these All-Star "snubs" keep the cost of Booker's extension down? Or, does he get a max deal regardless? He will be the only one who is not on a middle of the road (10-14MM/year) contract.

 

[Mainstreet]

I know it is something that they factor in, but I don't think they should. When it comes to all pro selections it should have a lot to do with winning, but the all star game should be all about the most exciting and individually talented players. Booker is absolutely top 12 in the west in those regards.

I mostly agree. It seems that most players and fans knew Booker was not going to be make the All-Star team because of the Suns record.

In some respects, All-Star selections are a popularity contest. I'm not sure Yao Ming was deserving of being an All-Star 8 times. There seems to be some type of pecking order in play.

 

[elindholm]

Do these All-Star "snubs" keep the cost of Booker's extension down? Or, does he get a max deal regardless? He will be the only one who is not on a middle of the road (10-14MM/year) contract.

He gets a max extension regardless.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I thought there was something about this as well, but it turns out the rules were changed and All Star game appearances no longer affect the Designated Player qualifications.

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q24

In order to qualify for the higher maximum salary, players must meet certain performance criteria1. At least one of the following must be true:

• The player was named to the All-NBA First, Second or Third team in the most recent season, or both of the two seasons that preceded the most recent season.
• The player was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the most recent season, or both of the two seasons that preceded the most recent season.
• The player was named the NBA Most Valuable Player in any of the three most recent seasons.

1 In 2017 only, the previous criteria applied for players finishing their fourth season to earn the 30% maximum: A) The player was named to the All-NBA First, Second or Third team at least twice; B) The player was voted as a starter in the All-Star game at least twice; OR C) The player was named the NBA Most Valuable Player at least once.