Phoenix Suns pull off opening night shocker in blowout of Kings

1. Booker may have played better than in his 70-point game

Message to Devin Booker: It’s time to grow up. The time is now for Booker to show that he’s a player that can be the face of a franchise. Up until now, Booker is known as the talented scorer that at times can be a loose cannon. He is known as a one-trick pony. A guy that can put the ball in the basket and do little else to lead a winning team to the playoffs.

The 70-point game against Boston is one example of the description of what Devin Booker is around NBA circles. A guy that covets his stats over winning.

Most would think a scoring display would lead to a Phoenix Suns victory. No, it was a blowout. Surprised? How about the fact that the team celebrated the scoring feat?

The example heard around the NBA world happened over the summer, when Booker wasn’t fond of double teams in pickup games.  It served as the perfect video billboard of how opponents will treat him all season as the Sacramento Kings double teamed him for most of the first half.

Couple these situations with making guarantees of the Suns making the playoffs (Like last year!) because he’s tired of missing the playoffs every year has made him the butt of many jokes.

This game is where Devin Booker looked like a professional basketball player instead of just a scorer. Devin Booker led the Suns in scoring with 22 points and added 10 assists. What made his game the most impressive was the fact that he took what the defense gave him in the first half and did not take bad shots.

Instead he set up his teammates setting the offensive pace Monty Williams wants.

An example of Devin’s growth here.

https://twitter.com/Suns/status/1187194266117799936

When Ricky Rubio picks Harrison Barnes‘ pocket, Booker advances the ball down the court towards the basket. He draws the double team and hits Deandre Ayton with a perfect pass for the slam dunk.

In the past, Booker would have taken the ball to the hoop looking for his own shot. Instead he rewarded his big man for running the court.

This play right here should have the Phoenix Suns fans excited. Check out the playmaking ability right here.

When Kelly Oubre Jr. makes the steal, watch how hard Booker runs his lane to receive the pass. In previous years, this shot goes up. Instead, Booker shows his patience by letting the play develop and throws a perfect alley-oop pass to the guy that started the play in the first place, Oubre.

These are winning plays by the franchise player folks. Throughout Booker’s career, he has claimed to be a leader without sacrificing his game to make his teammates better. In this game he did.

Oh he also made it rain at times on top of a few Kings players as well.

Devin Booker had a good game, but he was not the best player on the floor.