Hoops Habit
Fansided

How The Phoenix Suns Became Fun Again

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 5, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis (right) is lifted up by teammate Marquese Chriss as they celebrate Ulis buzzerbeater against the Boston Celtics at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Celtics 109-106. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis (right) is lifted up by teammate Marquese Chriss as they celebrate Ulis buzzerbeater against the Boston Celtics at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Celtics 109-106. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 7
Next
Phoenix Suns
Mar 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker greets young fans following the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Thunder 118-111. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Devin Booker Shaking Off Sophomore Slump

Early in the season, it seemed as though Devin Booker was dealing with the dreaded sophomore slump. Watson chalked it up to a nagging toe injury holding him back, but whatever the case, the 20-year-old franchise cornerstone has completely turned it around since the calendar flipped to 2017:

  • 2016 stats:  18.8 PPG, 3.2 APG, 2.9 RPG, 40.4 FG%, 32.3 3P%, 82.5 FT%, -4.0 plus/minus
  • 2017 stats:  22.9 PPG, 3.2 APG, 3.1 RPG, 44.8 FG%, 42.6 3P%, 82.0 FT%, -0.4 plus/minus

For the month of January, Booker showed more than a few glimpses of his superstar potential on the offensive end, averaging 25.4 points per game on blistering .464/.444/.832 shooting splits.

In that same month, he tied his career-high of 39 points in back-to-back games in Mexico City, the latter of which was an unexpected victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

In early February, he knocked down a game-winner against the Sacramento Kings in a 33-point performance:

Booker is still a poor defender, but he’s actually been better on that end since the lineup changes, emphasizing what appears to be part of a collective team effort to fill the void left by P.J. Tucker.

"“Devin Booker doesn’t turn 21 until next year, so his growth is more…he has to get physically stronger,” Watson said. “That comes with age. Become a better defender — that comes with strength and closing out games in more situations to where he can either help win the game or help lose the game. Either way, we want him to be aggressive, be confident, we want him to play.”"

Though his comments about Troy Daniels were a little unwarranted for a player who hasn’t even been in the league for two full years yet, Booker has displayed a Kobe Bryant-esque confidence that makes him revered by his fans and 100 percent punchable by his foes.

Marquese Chriss may be seen as the unruly personality on the court, and Jared Dudley was the most recent Sun to earn an ejection, but Booker’s usually the one getting under people’s skins — including NBA officiating crews, who have whistled him for 10 technical fouls.

Whatever the case, Booker’s combination of production, swagger, baby face syndrome and confidence that comes off as entitlement in the eyes of opponents will make him a loved and hated player in this league for years to come. As long as the production is in there to back it all up, Suns fans will be satisfied.

Home/Phoenix Suns