NBA: Underperformers and overachievers for Week 8

Overachiever: Devin Booker

The Phoenix Suns went 1-2 on this past week. Their lone victory came behind a strong performance from shooting guard Devin Booker. Booker averaged 34.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game in the previous three games, despite suffering a groin injury that will sideline him for at least two weeks.

He scored a season-high 46 points in a 115-101 victory over rookie Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night. Booker was 17-for-32 (53.1 percent) from the floor and 5-for-8 (62.5 percent) from 3-point range in arguably the best shooting game of his young career.

As he continues to excel, he’s showing he has the potential to be a franchise player. He’ll just need to get on the healthy side of things going forward and get some other players around him. The Suns have just a 9-17 record so far in 2017-18 after going 24-58 in 2016-17.

The potential is there in recently acquired center Greg Monroe and rookie Josh Jackson, but they’ll need some defensive muscle on the wing for things to improve. Booker should return from injury soon, as Phoenix needs his offense.