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Phoenix Suns: 5 Positives From Brutal Season Opener

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3) reacts in the second half against the Dallas Mavericks in the season opener at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 111-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3) reacts in the second half against the Dallas Mavericks in the season opener at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 111-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 9, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) looks up the court during a free throw attempt in the first half against the Utah Jazz at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Devin’s Going To Be Good. Book It.

With the 13th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Suns selected Kentucky’s sixth man, sharpshooter Devin Booker. The rookie’s ability to spread the floor with one of the purest looking jumpers you’ve ever seen is sure make him a valuable asset in this pace-and-space era of NBA basketball, but even at 18 years old, he looks ready to contribute.

In the preseason, we saw glimpses of it, like when he and T.J. Warren willed the Suns to force overtime against the Houston Rockets while facing a 20-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter. Booker scored 15 of his 20 points in that final period, but surprisingly enough, not all of those points came from spot-up situations as you’d expect from someone who’s constantly labeled as little more than a shooter.

Just like that Houston game, Booker showed that he’s more than just a stand-still shooter in Phoenix’s home opener.

The Suns’ rook finished with 14 points in 21 minutes off the bench, but only three of those points came from beyond the arc. Booker made six of his seven shots from the floor and went 1-for-2 from downtown. He got beat on a few backdoor cuts on defense, but that’s to be expected from such a young player in his first NBA season.

“First time I went in, coach said I was getting my feet wet,” Booker said. “I knew my second opportunity in there I was going to go as hard as possible.”

Booker may have been the 13th and final player off the bench for Jeff Hornacek‘s team, but with the game out of reach, the 18-year-old quickly proved he belongs on an NBA court. It might not be long before Booker joins T.J. Warren in the “Get That Dude More Minutes” club.

Next: No. 3

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