Phoenix Suns player analysis: Devin Booker looking to take next step in 10th year
Devin Booker was one of three players to rank in the top-11 in assists and points per game. He is looking to take the next step in his career.
Phoenix Suns star shooting guard Devin Booker played an important role in the United States men’s basketball team’s run to Olympic gold.
With the Suns, he will be the key piece next to Kevin Durant in the franchise’s pursuit of its first-ever championship.
His player capsule:
Devin Booker has been the best player on the NBA’s winningest team since 2019-20
The NBA is seeking a young superstar who will replace Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Stephen Curry as the face of the league.
Booker, who in 2020-21 set an NBA record for points by a player in their first-ever playoff run (601), is someone who could fill that void.
Even though they have not won a title, the Suns have been led by Booker, who has been arguably the team’s best player in the last four seasons, when they have had the most wins by any team.
Phoenix in 2021 advanced to the NBA Finals, when it was eliminated by the Milwaukee Bucks. Booker led the Suns at 28.2 points per game in the series and became one of seven players to record back-to-back 40-point games in the championship round.
In 2021-22, Booker helped lead the Suns to their most wins (64) in any of their now 57 seasons. He finished fourth in MVP voting that season before he suffered a hamstring injury in the team’s first-round series against the New Orleans Pelicans and he and the Suns were eliminated in blowout fashion by Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in seven games in the conference semifinals.
Booker in 2022-23 became the first player since Michael Jordan to record at least 300 points through the first nine games of a playoff run. He did so with a 70% true-shooting percentage, the best ever in a stretch of nine playoff contests.
Why is Booker not running the point?
Booker is someone who is compared to Kobe Bryant for his mentality and ability to score. But he is a formidable offensive talent perhaps most because of his passing to add to his scoring.
Booker, who averaged a career-best 6.9 assists, will play off the ball for the Suns now that they have acquired the two best point guards in terms of assist-to-turnover ratio, Tyus Jones and Monte Morris.
But when Phoenix went on a seven-game win streak in November, Booker’s point-guard play helped the Suns generate a whopping 137.4 points per 100 possessions when he brought the ball up the floor.
The Suns have to find ways in order to create scoring opportunities for Booker, Durant and their third star, Bradley Beal.
Booker criticized for playoff lows
Even though Booker has been very successful individually in postseason stretches, he has underwhelmed in high-stakes playoff elimination games, something that has been perhaps his biggest criticism.
“I haven’t won a ring yet, that’s the ultimate goal,” Booker told me in April.
Booker has said his only goal is to win a championship. Even though he has dealt with injuries in his elimination games, he will be looked at to produce in such games for the Suns this season.
Booker in Game 3 of the first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves — which effectively was a game that would have helped the Suns survive in the series — struggled compared to his expectations by some fans who critique him with 17 points in the first three quarters.
What will Mike Budenholzer look for from Booker?
Durant is one of the best players ever, but Booker is also a high-caliber player as a scorer.
The Suns have a fun problem to solve with three mid-range talents who also have had incredible success when they share the basketball with each other. I asked Durant about what can make the “Big 3” explosive after they had a combined 25 assists in their Dec. 27 win over the Houston Rockets.
“We make it unpredictable,” Durant said.
Devin Booker could be one of the NBA’s best, but it will take some humility
Booker is the face of the Suns’ franchise. He has carried the team to rare heights but also has to navigate it out of an underwhelming 2023-24 season compared to championship aspirations declared by majority owner Mat Ishbia, coaches and even the players.
He has responded to poor seasons from the Suns, but now he has to bring success back to the franchise and will have to work with Budenholzer to do so.
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