Taking a look at the 2020 Western Conference All-Star snubs

Thursday night, 7 players from each the eastern and western conference were chosen as the 2020 all-star reserves. Many familiar names such as Devin Booker, Karl Anthony-Towns, Demar Derozan, and even Paul George we’re left out in somewhat controversial fashion. We now look at the biggest western conference all-star snubs and exactly why they were left out.

Bob Donnan, 2018, USA Today Sports

Devin Booker

Devin Booker was probably the most surprising snub of all after a breakout season in which he is averaging 27.1 points on 51% shooting from the field. Devin Booker looked as if he was a lock for the all star game and has arguably been the best two guard in the league not named James Harden. Players such as Chris Paul and Donovan Mitchell being selected over him have created quite the uproar on social media. Devin Booker now becomes the first player ever to be averaging over 27 points and 6 assists along with at least 60% TS to miss the all-star game. Devin Booker also joins Bradley Beal as the only two players in the past 35 years to miss the all-star game averaging over 27 points.

Season Stats

27.1 points, 6.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 0.3 blocks, 51% from the field, 36.8% from three, 91.7% from the line

Maddie Meyer, 2018, Getty Images

Karl Anthony-Towns

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been somewhat disappointing this season, however Karl Anthony-Towns has looked like arguably the best Center in the NBA. Despite the Timberwolves disappointing season as they sit at the 14th seed in the West with only 15 wins, Towns has been nothing short of spectacular averaging 25.9 points along with 10.7 rebounds, showing tremendous improvement on the defensive side of the ball. Nikola Jokic, and Rudy Gobert were two Centers picked as reserves over Towns. Towns initially started off the season as a sure fire MVP candidate but was slowed down due to injuries. Despite the stretch of games missed, Towns has still managed to appear in thirty games this season, putting up some spectacular numbers.

Season Stats

26.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.2 blocks, 0.9 steals, 51.1% from the field, 41.2% from three, and 81.2% from the line

Hannah Foslien, 2018, Getty Images

Demar Derozan

Spurs guard Demar Derozan is having a career year in which he is averaging 23 points with a career high 53.5% from the field. The 30 year old small forward has been able to keep the Spurs in playoff contention despite a tough western conference with teams such as the Suns, Grizzlies, Blazers, And Pelicans fighting for that eight spot. Derozan looked to see his first all-star appearance since the 2017-18 season with the Toronto Raptors, but is replaced by Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram and Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell. Although Derozan doesn’t have spectacular numbers much like other snubs, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Derozan has been a key piece on the Spurs keeping them alive in the playoff hunt, and really deserves more recognition, which could’ve been done by rewarding him his fifth all-star appearance.

Season Stats

23.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.3 blocks, 53.5% from the field, 27.6% from behind the arch, and 84.5% from the line

Eric Gay, 2019, AP

Paul George

Probably the least controversial “snub” of this years All-star selection has to be Clippers forward Paul George. George came off a season where he finished top 3 in most valuable player voting as well as defensive player of the year voting, and looked to be a sure fire all-star this season. Despite the Clippers success currently sitting at the third seed in the West with a 33-15 record, George has been rather underwhelming appearing in only 27 games putting up 22.9 points on subpar efficiency. Nikola Jokic, Rudy Gobert, Brandon Ingram, and Donovan Mitchell we’re notable names chosen over George. while most agreed with the decision it still rubbed some fans the wrong way.

Season Stats

22.9 Points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.4 blocks, 42.4% from the field, 39.3% from behind the arch, and 90.4% from the line

Kelvin Kuo, 2019, AP