5 Western Conference players who deserve to be in the NBA Playoffs

#2 Devin Booker

The Suns' guard was nearly snubbed from the West All-Star team

Devin Booker is a young star in the making, and he continues to show it every year. The 23-year-old guard is averaging 26.1 points (0.3 points away from his career-best) and shooting 48.9 percent from the field.

Booker is a great offensive player, who can have a hot shooting night nearly at will. He is the franchise player for the Suns' young core, and he has embraced that role. And, he is getting a bit of recognition for it.

Booker was nearly snubbed from the All-Star team (in fact, he was snubbed initially) but made the it after Damian Lillard suffered an injury that kept him out of the game. Booker became a NBA All-Star for the first time, and it was well deserved.

The future looks bright for Booker, and while he won't get his first taste of the playoffs this season, the Suns will hopefully get closer.

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#1 Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard and the Blazers may miss the playoffs this season

It is nearly unfathomable to think that Damian Lillard could miss the playoffs this season. Last season, the Blazers made the Western Conference finals after an incredible shot from Lillard in the first round against the Thunder, and a competitive seven-game series against the Nuggets in the second.

The Blazers were swept by the Golden State Warriors but showed that they are a talented team, who many thought would be back in the playoffs. But this year has gone differently.

The Blazers find themselves just shy off the playoff race, as they have a record of 26-33. The Memphis Grizzlies have a record 28-30 and currently hold the eighth seed. While there is a chance the Blazers get that spot, it will take closing in on the Grizzlies to get it.

Lillard has been on a tear in the last two months, as he's put up big numbers in multiple games. He had a 61-point game in January and followed up with three 40 (plus) point games and two 50 (plus) point games since then. Lillard is still out with a groin injury and has missed the past few games and could miss a few more before returning.

The Blazers need Lillard to return soon if they have any hopes of making the playoffs this season. So, hopefully, he comes back soon. Otherwise, the playoffs will be strange without the Blazers and will be even more strange without Lillard.