PHOENIX – Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker was chosen on Wednesday to replace Los Angeles Lakers striker Anthony Davis in the NBA All-Star game.
Commissioner Adam Silver chose Booker to take Davis’s place the day after Booker was despised by league coaches for a vacant reserve in the March 7 game in Atlanta.
Booker received a huge ovation from the home crowd on Wednesday night, when the sixth-year guard was announced as an All-Star twice during introductions by the starting team. Coach Monty Williams said before the game that the tribute was well deserved.
“The situation at the time was a little strange for us when Devin didn’t get the call, but we are grateful for what happened in the last few hours and we are happy for Book, ” Williams said.
After Booker was dismissed on Tuesday night, there was a chorus of disbelief from some of the league’s best players, including LeBron James.
“Devin Booker is the most disrespected player in our league !!! Simple as that, ” the star of the Lakers and captain of the Western Conference tweeted.
Booker said he tried not to be frustrated by the initial contempt and hopes for another All-Star experience.
“I focus on my family, my loved ones,” said Booker. “They did a good job of keeping me very humble and down to earth. At the end of the day, it’s bigger than this basketball thing and the entertainment behind it and the politics behind it.
“I’m reaching the age to finally understand that.”
Davis, elected as a reserve, is out because of a sprained right calf and Achilles tendinosis.
Booker received both All-Star selections as an injury substitute. He has an average of 24.7 points, 4.3 assists, 3.8 rebounds and a career record of 50.1% on the pitch.
Booker and fellow All-Star Chris Paul helped Phoenix to a 20-10 record, the fourth best in the NBA. The Suns last had two All-Stars in 2009-10 with Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire.
James and Eastern Conference captain Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets will choose their rosters from the holders and reserves pool on March 4.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.