It came faster than may have been expected, but Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker on Wednesday was named by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as injured Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis’ replacement for the upcoming All-Star Game.
With the rosters having been announced on Tuesday, it was thought that Davis’ replacement would not be named until closer to the March 7 event. Booker was the runaway favorite to be the player named, however, as he is averaging 24.7 points, 4.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game for a Suns team that has the fourth-best record in the NBA.
This is the second consecutive year and second time overall that Booker has been named an All-Star. Both times it has come as a replacement, as he took an injured Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard’s place a year ago.
Booker getting the nod means that Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley has still not been named an All-Star in his 14-year career. Some thought that he was deserving of a nod this season, as he is averaging 16.4 points, 5.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds per contest for a Jazz team that has the best record in the NBA.