Why Suns Guard Devin Booker Deserves All-Star Nod

There shouldn't be any questions surrounding Devin Booker being selected.

PHOENIX -- Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker has been a huge topic of discussion within the last week.

The Suns' leading scorer averaged over 50 PPG en route to winning the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week award - with two games resulting in a loss for Phoenix. 

Booker has also been at the center of talks when it comes to being an All-Star reserve at this year's game after not making the cut as a starter. 

Reserves for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game will officially be announced this Thursday, and while the majority of pundits believe Booker should be a shoe-in for one of the seven reserve spots, not everyone agrees - such as NBA on TNT's Charles Barkley:

" love Devin Booker." Charles Barkley.

"Obviously you don't." Shaquille O'Neal.

Charles Barkley doesn't have Devin Booker as one of his West #NBAAllStar2024 selections. #Suns pic.twitter.com/jMS5jdcRad

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 26, 2024

Booker has made the All-Star Game three times. 

The main arguments working against Booker this year have been team record and games missed - both of which have become relatively hollow over the last two weeks. 

Booker's Suns squad now sits at 27-20, which is currently good for sixth in the Western Conference.

Booker has now played in over 80% of possible games for the Suns this season and now qualifies for league wide statistical leaderboards - where he ranks 5th in scoring and 10th in assists.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo have been named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for Week 14 of the 2023-24 season (Jan. 22-28). pic.twitter.com/i5ifF8kDL3

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 29, 2024

Booker just won his second player of the week award this season and is the only non-starter in the All-Star Game to average 28 PPG on 62+ percent true shooting. 

The argument for Booker is short, but sweet. 

To large extents, he's become the most impactful Suns player over the last two weeks in terms of both production and availability. He is one of the most fearsome offensive engines in the NBA. The Suns are far better when he plays.

"Just a spectacular player," Suns coach Frank Vogel said of Booker.

"I think he should have been voted to be an All-Star starter, personally. I think the whole world can see that. He'll be in that game when coaches vote." 

With all due respect to other great players that might get snubbed at the expense of Booker, the Phoenix guard is simply a player that shouldn't even be discussed as someone who could be left out. 

We'll see if the assistant coaches that are voting see it the same way.