There have been few “killers” in the NBA like Devin Booker. We are talking about scorers with a particular aptitude for finding the basket, players created to destroy any opponent in front of them, those who smell blood and go for it, capable of scoring points in the blink of an eye.
The Phoenix Suns star knows all about grabbing the ball and finding the net. In the NBA Playoffs there is no tomorrow, it’s win or die. It’s that simple. And he’s a serial killer. Tough and ruthless. A born competitor.
Against the Los Angeles Clippers, Booker once again proved to be one of the most reliable players in the postseason. On a team that includes Kevin Durant, he is proving to be the leader.
The shooting guard is doing absolutely everything in this series, both on offense and defense. Seeing him average 34.8 points is one thing, but doing it with good percentages (57% in three-point shots) plus 2.7 steals and 1.2 blocks, elevates his impact to even more remarkable levels.
Devin Booker’s heat map during Game 2: 38 points (14-22 on TC, 4-7 on T3) and nine assists
It shouldn’t be so surprising to see this version of Booker in the Playoffs: in front of tighter defenses and with more scouting work and with the ball spending more time in the hands of the stars, the mid-range shot ends up being absolutely crucial and useful to solve different problems, mainly in the 1 vs 1. Booker is a specialist in this area.
Visually, it is a spectacle to see him put the handbrake on four meters from the hoop and shoot over his defender. Or turn and shoot from any angle. Coming off the bounce, dodging the defender and shooting with no room.
Moreover, it is giving him a great result: he records an effective shot of 52.1% in shooting after a rebound (73.5% success rate in three-meter shots), in addition to registering an outstanding 55.6% in ‘catch and shoot’ situations.
Mid-range shooting is his trademark. Only 25.3% of his offensive plays end in shots from the perimeter, averaging a 43.5% success rate (2.5 – 5.8). He dominates all records. He’s a lethal scorer.
ALLISON DINNEREFE
Booker’s backcourt performance is no less spectacular
Booker’s defensive evolution since Monty Williams’ arrival in Phoenix has been remarkable. While the point guard continues to garner the spotlight for his immense work on offense, he has developed a remarkable level of defensive solidity in his own end.
Increased effort has led to better reads and better fundamentals. He has never lacked the natural tools, it was just a question of unlocking them.
The qualitative leap on the defensive end has been the most striking aspect of his evolution. Paired with Russell Westbrook most of the time (20:55′), he is holding the Californian point guard to 40% shooting (14-35 from the field).
Eric Gordon has scored six points on 11 shots from the field and Norman Powell is 7-17 from the field in the 9:33′ Booker has defended against him.
Booker will never be a specialist or a dominant defensive player. The load he carries on offense already puts a limitation on the energy he can use on that end.
However, in a team that has players like Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and DeAndre Ayton on its roster, the shooting guard’s emergence in this category is not to be underestimated.
Eric Gordon has scored six points on 11 shots from the field and Norman Powell is 7-17 from the field in the 9:33′ Booker has defended him.
Booker will never be a specialist or a dominant defensive player. The load he carries on offense already puts a limitation on the energy he can use on that end.
However, in a team that has players like Chris Paul, Kevin Durant (by age) or DeAndre Ayton on its roster, the shooting guard’s emergence in this facet is spectacular.
As long as he sticks to the game plan, stays focused and provides solidity, the Suns are good enough to win a championship.
ALLISON DINNEREFE
Booker reclaims his place
At the pinnacle of NBA stardom, there is a category that is highly exclusive and restricted to a privileged few.
Devin Booker is one of the most important figures of his generation, one of the most impactful American players today alongside Jayson Tatum, Ja Morant and Zion Williamson…. yet despite the numbers, the improvements and all the above, his name still appears as a footnote among the contenders to become the figurehead of his era.
While others wait for others to talk about them or for their words to define who they are, Devin Booker does it through the game, delivering night after night the best possible version of himself.
As his father taught him and as he later learned from Kobe Bryant, his idol and mentor, the Suns’ young star is a perennial MVP candidate who has been relegated to the media sidelines. That is, until now because his 2022-2023 season deserves MVP consideration.