Best Moment Bracket – 3. Booker Breaks Chambers’ Record v 6. Booker ‘Not in My House’ Comments
By Adam Maynes
Bracket # 1
3. Booker Breaks Chambers’ Scoring Record v 6. Booker ‘Not in My House’ Comments
3. Booker Breaks Chambers’ Scoring Record
Yes, scoring 70 points is the much bigger achievement. However, Booker’s 70th point only broke his own personal record of 69 which he had just set seconds prior. It was his 60th and 61st points that were the most exciting (and important) as that pt back bucket broke Tom Chambers’ record that had stood for 27 years – ironically, 27 years to the day.
Plus, the 61st point came after a 3/4 court drive and then following off of a block, rebound, and put-back shot. Booker’s 70th point came on a free throw. Much more anti-climactic.
6. Booker ‘Not in My House’ Comments
With the season winding to a close, Suns fans were looking for anything to cheer for, even if it meant cheering for the opponent.
On April 7, Russell Westbrook and the Thunder came into Phoenix with Westbrook on the verge of history. 6 more rebounds would clinch a season-long average triple-double. One more triple-double and he would break Oscar Robertson’s record of 41 triple-doubles in a single season.
Suns fans – wanting the Suns to both lose for lottery purposes and to watch history – were often cheering for Westbrook while booing the Suns for slowing down his chase of history. Westbrook would get the rebounds to secure the season average, but as the clock wound down, he struggled to reach a double-digit assist total that would secure the single-game triple-double record.
The Suns played hard and managed to prevent Westbrook from breaking that record. After the game however, Devin Booker was asked about how he felt about Suns fans cheering for Westbrook and booing the Suns for playing legit defense.
Needless to say, he was unhappy.
But that is good. That is real good. Devin Booker grew a lot this season into a player apparently on the cusp of superstardom. But these comments, coupled with his own personal strong and defiant attempt to prevent Westbrook from breaking the record, was one more amazing moment that defined his incredible sophomore season.