5 Best Sophomore Phoenix Suns: Bar Set High For Devin Booker
1. Kevin Johnson 1988-89 Phoenix Suns
The greatest sophomore campaign in Phoenix Suns’ history was fittingly done by one of the greatest in Suns’ history: K.J.
Acquired part way through his rookie season in 1987-88, Johnson had played well during that first partial season with the Suns.
With an entire offseason, K.J. would put up one of the finest season in Suns’ history, period.
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K.J. averaged 20.4 points, 12.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals against 4.0 turnovers per game.
Outside of the turnovers, the only real knock on K.J. was his three-point shooting, something he never did develop well.
Johnson made All-NBA 2nd team, finished 8th in MVP voting (just ahead of fellow Sun Tom Chambers) and finished 3rd in assists per game.
The Phoenix Suns went 55-27 that season, eventually being swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. This was a massive turnaround from the Suns’ 28-54 record the year before.
If Devin Booker can have an impact similar to Kevin Johnson, maybe the Suns can have a similar turnaround. If not, Suns fans will need a little more patience.