Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James came out in vocal support of Phoenix Suns sharpshooter Devin Booker this week. James referred to Booker as the most disrespected player in the NBA today after he was omitted from the 2021 NBA All-Star Game roster.
Ultimately, Booker did end up getting an All-Star nod as a replacement for Lakers big man Anthony Davis, but his initial exclusion coupled with James’ vocal support prompted many to ask a simple question.
Is Booker actually underrated? Fox Sports radio broadcaster Colin Cowherd aimed to answer that question on his show Thursday.
In his estimation, the answer is pretty clearly no.
“Has Devin Booker won multiple titles?” he asked. “Has Devin Booker been a unanimous MVP? Devin Booker’s not disrespected, what’s he done? He’s just talented.”
As far as Cowherd is concerned, if you want a truly disrespected player, look no further than Golden State Warrior star Stephen Curry.
“Steph Curry’s completely disrespected,” he continued. “There’s only three players in basketball that have changed the game… Steph Curry changed how all of basketball is played. All of it. When you do a fast break now in basketball, even if you have a numbers advantage, you’re allowed to pull up for a three point shot.”
While Cowherd is known for being something of a rabble-rouser, this take is a bad one even by his lofty standards.
Booker is currently averaging 25 points and 4.3 assists per outing while shooting 50 percent from the floor, 38 percent from three and 85 percent from the free-throw line. Beyond that, his squad has continued to build on the momentum established in last year’s bubble and is currently the No. 4 seed in the West.
Going by on-the-court metrics, there was simply no excuse to leave Booker’s name off the All-Star reserves list. That is probably why he was promptly added as soon as Davis’ slot opened up.
There are a lot of actual things James can and should be corrected on, but his defense of Booker definitely isn’t the one Cowherd should’ve latched on to in his attempt to offer a contrarian take.
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