Phoenix Suns: Can Rubio and Booker be the next “Backcourt 2000”?

The Phoenix Suns haven’t had a hyped backcourt for years. Can Devin Booker and Ricky Rubio be the Phoenix Suns ‘Backcourt 2000’?

The Phoenix Suns haven’t had a consistent backcourt for years. To take things further, the Phoenix Suns haven’t had a hyped backcourt since the beginning of the century. Can Devin Booker and Ricky Rubio bring the potential of Anfernee Hardaway and Jason Kidd?

More from Hoops Habit

• 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
• Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
• Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
• Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
• NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers

Looking back at the lean years of the Phoenix Suns, it’s easy to forget that the franchise was known for not only great point guard play, but backcourt production overall. This era goes back to the Charles Barkley-led NBA Finals run back in 1993.

Who can forget the dynamic backcourt of Kevin Johnson with his dynamic crossover and Dan Majerle, who low-key shot 3 pointers from “Curry Land”?

Throughout NBA history, can any NBA purist think of a better collection of guard talent than the Phoenix Suns of the 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons? Has there ever been more talent at one position on the same team for a prolonged period? We’re talking Kevin Johnson, Steve Nash and Jason Kidd here. All point guard icons, with two Hall of Famers and another strong candidate to be one in the same backcourt.

But their time together was short. Steve Nash was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks after the 1998 NBA Draft for four players and a first-round draft pick (which later turned out to be “The Matrix,” Shawn Marion). Injuries caught up with Johnson and he retired after that season. All of a sudden, Jason Kidd was left alone as the lone point guard.

Then the Suns went out and got Hardaway, who had fallen out of favor with the Orlando Magic (post-Shaquille O’Neal) with a sign-and-trade deal in 1999. They were dubbed the “Backcourt 2000.”

Believe it or not, Phoenix Suns fans, the backcourt of Devin Booker and Ricky Rubio can compare with the possible hype and enigma of Jason Kidd and Penny Hardaway.

No, we are not talking about pure talent (You will see why, when we look back at Hardaway!) but the comparisons of how the two backcourts came together and the high prices that could possibly hamstring the salary cap in the future.

Where’s the hype for this backcourt? Ask yourselves this question: With the NBA world being fixated on both Los Angeles franchises this summer, have you noticed that the Phoenix Suns backcourt of Ricky Rubio and Devin Booker made more headlines than both teams combined?

Yes it’s true. Ricky Rubio took a summer vacation to the FIBA World Cup and walked out with a gold medal (Remember, the U.S. squad finished seventh!). Rubio led his Spain teammates with 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists in a 95-75 beat down over Argentina.

Not only that, Rubio was part of the World Cup All-Star Five. Oh by the way, he was the MVP. This is who the Suns signed to be the starting point guard at the going rate of $51 million over the next three years.

https://twitter.com/FIBAWC/status/1173238954801262592

Devin Booker stayed in the U.S. and showed NBA fans the ups and downs of playing pick up ball during the summer. First he put together a mixtape destroying Tony Snell showing his entire offensive repertoire. He was quoted after the game saying how serious he’s taking these workouts.

"I’m just working, bro. I haven’t been to the playoffs yet."

Then Booker set off the unofficial debate that put the Democratic Party to shame about being double-teamed in an open pickup game.

Between the eventful summers of the starting Phoenix Suns backcourt, it will lead to the most intrigue Suns fans have to look forward to since Steve Nash’s second tour of duty.

Hoops Habit takes a look at the past and the possible present “Backcourt 2000.”