Phoenix Suns Mid-Season Grades Part 2/2
By Lucas McLean
Devin Booker
21.1 points, 3.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 34.5 minutes per game
What more can be said that has not already been said about the Suns’ 20-year old phenom, Devin Booker. When drafting a player this young your expectations are minimal. The hope is that the player can adjust well to the NBA pace and atmosphere and possibly receive good developmental minutes.
But to average 21 points and become a legitimate go-to option in only his second year in the NBA is well beyond any expectations.
Booker started off slow this season, having a few games early where he failed to score more than 15 points. Although even during in his slump he was able to put up back-to-back 38+ nights against the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans, the youngest player ever to do so. When the New Year hit Booker ascended to another level with the highlight being back-to-back 39 point performances in Mexico City. In January, Booker averaged 25.4 points while shooting 44.4% from beyond the arc. Recently, against the Milwaukee Bucks, Booker scored 27 points in less than 8 minutes of the second quarter.
Booker is on pace to score the 3rd most points ever before the age of 21. He is one of the league’s best scorers and he can’t even buy an alcoholic drink yet.
The only knock on him could be his defense which is average at best.
Grade: A
Overall, the Suns as a unit get a grade of C+. Players like Booker, Bledsoe, and Tucker are all playing above projected. Without these three going above and beyond every night Phoenix would be worse than Brookyln. The play of Len and Knight has been such a detriment to the team at times Watson has taken it upon himself to remove them completely regular rotations. Even though expectations were low to begin with, being last in the western conference is under performing.
Next: Click Here for Part One of the Phoenix Suns Mid-Season Grades