NBA: 10 candidates to be 1st-time All-Stars in 2019-20
7. Devin Booker, SG, Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker is a scoring maestro at a ridiculously young age, one of only 12 players to put up at least 26.5 points per game at age 22 or younger. In any given game he can explode for 50 points; last year 13 players hit the 50-point mark, and Booker (who did it twice) was by far the youngest.
In fact, only two players had their first 50-point game at a younger age than Booker was when he dropped 70 points on the Boston Celtics in March 2017, when he was not yet old enough to purchase a drink.
The scoring numbers are dazzling and they are the biggest reason that Booker could make the All-Star Game. If he pushes the envelope even higher, then one of the league’s top scorers would look out of place missing the All-Star Game.
Scoring is not the same as winning and the goal of an NBA game is to win. In that department Booker has struggled mightily throughout his young career, both due to his own weaknesses as a defender and the talent and coaching around him.
Every year he has improved and his Phoenix Suns have not; if the team can take a step towards competence it will mean a huge boost in Booker’s All-Star hopes.
Standing in Booker’s way are a plethora of Western Conference guards who all will demand attention. Stephen Curry, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard and Chris Paul are all multi-time All-Stars still producing. Another half-dozen guards will be pushing for their first appearance.
The talent and production of Booker may deserve a berth, even if the numbers game forces him to stay at home.