Why doesn’t Devin Booker have an MVP case this season?

With all of that said, I do understand the gripes that Phoenix fans have about this award.

For starters, Suns coach Monty Williams was robbed of the Coach of the Year award by the Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau last year – and I understand the concern that they’re being big-timed by the big markets again.

Chicago’s DeMar DeRozan garnered MVP buzz earlier this season while having a comparable statistical season to Booker for a worse team in a bigger market.

The truth is, Devin Booker does not get his due. Booker has been the Suns’ best player this season. Because of Chris Paul’s brilliance and the Suns’ fantastic depth, he isn’t considered to be as important – but where would Giannis be without Middleton and Holiday? Where would Jokic be without – uh – Aaron Gordon?

Jokes aside, it will take more for Booker to be a contender for MVP. But what exactly would it take?

For one, Booker will need a large statistical bump. Given that scoring is his best skill, and he is incredible at it, Booker would likely need to lead the league in points to get a real MVP case going.

Probably a bigger factor, though, is that he’ll have to show he can do it without CP3. Though Booker is the Suns’ best player, Chris Paul is a no-doubt Hall of Famer, and the respect Paul earns from his legendary career is enough to make NBA fans question who the lead dog of the Suns is.

An MVP candidate needs to be the best player on his team without question before people start discussing if they’re the best player in the league. And as long as Chris Paul is around, people will have questions.

Though I think Booker is far from the MVP this season, I do agree that it’s unfair he hasn’t gotten much of a look for the award, especially considering the buzz for players like DeMar DeRozan.

And though I don’t think it’s fair, Booker will probably have to lead the Suns without Chris Paul before he enters the conversation.