I’m Done with Not Making the Playoffs, I’m Serious
In an exit interview at the conclusion of the 2018 NBA season, Devin Booker expresses his frustration: “This is probably the last year I’m ever not making the playoffs. That’s putting pressure on myself I need” (AZ Republic). Nearing the end of the 2019 season, the Phoenix Suns have the second-worst record in the NBA sitting at 17-58. That pressure isn’t on him alone. For instance, the team has an average age of 23 with a rookie head coach. It will be Herculean to make the playoffs in the Western Conference. A young Kobe could not take this team to the playoffs. Furthermore, when Kobe Bryant was handed the keys to the Los Angeles Lakers the roster possessed Shaquille O’Neal as well as quality vets in Derek Harper, Rick Fox, Glen Rice, and Robert Horry. Keep that in perspective.
Devin Booker and the Suns Supporting Cast
Devin Booker does not receive a lot of support from his Phoenix Suns teammates. In order to continue to elevate his game and shine in the playoffs, he will need to have some help. There is some evidence that some help is present. Potential mainstays are Kelly Oubre Jr. and Mikal Bridges. As of late Oubre Jr. has proven to be a solid wing next to Booker averaging 16.9 points per game since his arrival to the Suns. Additionally, a key piece to the Suns’ future success hinges on Deandre Ayton. Prior to the 2019 NBA season, Ayton referred to him and Booker as the next “Shaq and Kobe” (CBS Sports Radio). Keep in mind, Ayton will need to provide an impact that emulates Shaq in his years with Kobe. Adding a few veterans to an inexperienced Suns team can also help catapult Booker’s leap to accompany the NBA elite.
Booker Is Doing His Best Kobe Impersonation
In his first and only game against Kobe, Devin Booker tried to pattern a one leg fadeaway that Bryant was notorious for scoring on opponents. That shot was missed but there was a chuckle from Kobe and a smile from Booker. However, Booker is doing his best to impersonate Kobe’s body of work more than his shot. There has been a gradual increase in Booker’s scoring each season. Dating back from his rookie season to his current, Booker has made a scoring leap from 13.8 points per game in his rookie year to 26.2 points per game in his fourth year. In comparison to Kobe, he averaged 7.6 points per game in his rookie year and by his fourth year, he averaged 22.5 points per game. It is worth mentioning that Booker scored 70 points as a 20-year-old.
He’s Kobe When the Game Matters
Out of the Suns 17 wins for the season, two of the wins have come solely due to the will of Booker. With 3 minutes or less left in the game, for a shot or tie, Booker’s 4 shots taken have a field goal percentage of 75%. Albeit there are 2 games to judge from, the Suns need a more experienced roster. Comparing Booker to the great Kobe, the stats will show the maturity of Booker. When he was 22 years of age, Bryant led a Lakers team to 9 wins shooting 56% with the same criteria as Booker. However, that 22-year-old Kobe team had Shaq, Horry, Fox, Fisher, and Glen Rice who eventually won a championship. Give Booker and Ayton one more season to play among each other with some promised veteran talent by the Suns organization.
Courtesy of the NBA website, Devin Booker showed the glimpses of the NBA’s next biggest star.
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