DeMar DeRozan, San Antonio Spurs. (Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports)
DeMar DeRozan really wanted to replace Devin Booker in the 2021 NBA All-Star Game.
Not everybody is happy about Mike Conley Jr. making his first career trip to the NBA All-Star Game. While the Utah Jazz point guard has been overlooked for years, dating back to his days as the Memphis Grizzlies’ floor general, San Antonio Spurs shooting guard DeMar DeRozan believes he should have been the injury replacement for Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker over Conley.
Though DeRozan was a four-time NBA All-Star with his previous team in the Toronto Raptors, he has not made the Western Conference roster since being dealt to the Spurs for Kawhi Leonard back in 2018. It may seem a tad petty to be upset about not being an injury replacement, but a fifth trip to the All-Star Game would go a long way towards DeRozan getting into Springfield.
Does DeMar DeRozan have reason to be miffed about being passed over?
DeRozan is averaging 20 points, 7.2 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 33.8 minutes per game for a playoff-caliber Spurs team. None of his San Antonio teammates will be making the trek to Atlanta, but Conley is now the third Jazz player to represent the Western Conference, joining shooting guard Donovan Mitchell and center Rudy Gobert. Once again, DeRozan is sadly on the outside looking in.
Through the first half of the season, DeRozan is averaging more points, assists and rebounds per game than Conley. Through 29 games, Conley is averaging 16.1 points, 5.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 29.4 minutes per contest. While DeRozan has the right to be bummed about not going to Atlanta, Utah does have the best record in the NBA entering the All-Star break.
Though Conley has been robbed before, he may be denying DeRozan his spot this season.