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Devin Booker replacing Damian Lillard in All-Star game, 3-point contest

Devin Booker

PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 30: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers goes for the steal against Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns on December 30, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

Announcing an injury that’d sideline him for the All-Star game, Damian Lillard suggested Devin Booker as a replacement.

Adam Silver listened.

NBA release:

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard on Team LeBron in the 2020 NBA All-Star Game

Booker will also replace Lillard in the 3-point contest.

Booker should have been an All-Star in the first place. He’d tell you, too.

Now, the young guard gets his first All-Star appearance. It’s deserved recognition for a talented scorer who has made major strides fitting into a better team system. The Suns still have a long way to go, but Booker is driving their rise.

Fortunately for everyone involved, Booker – the top snub – played in Lillard’s Western Conference and is also a good 3-point shooter. By rule, the replacement must come from the same conference as the injured player, even though All-Star teams are no longer divided by conference. Booker, who won the 3-point contest in 2018, can also easily slide into that event without another player changing his All-Star break plans.