Devin Booker’s injury could have wide-ranging effects

To Tank or Not to Tank

DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 29: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks to the sidelines during the third quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 29, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit defeated Phoenix 131-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Throughout the early part of this season, the prevailing notion of acceptable tanking that had plagued the fan base for the majority of last season was in jeopardy. While some fans have continued to cling to that philosophy with an avaricious grip, the growing vocal reluctance to continue losing – especially in the wake of Eric Bledsoe’s demand to be traded – had grown ever louder by the day.

In fact, Devin Booker’s 46-point performance against the Philadelphia 76ers even began converting some of tanking’s loudest supporters pushing for an ‘all in’ path this coming summer, an approach many of us have clamored for, for sometime.

Yet, should Booker’s injury keep him out for any considerable length, the Suns are not winning much from here until his return potentially spiking Phoenix’s Lottery position giving the franchise the excuse, one last time, to continue the tank and reach for the NBA draft stars.

With Booker playing, fans and the franchise alike have a sense of owing Booker (as well as the other young players on the roster) the attempt to win with the team as currently constructed, so they may taste victory and not find themselves used to – or embittered by – regular defeat.

However with Booker out, General Manager Ryan McDonough has almost received a hall pass and can begin better positioning the team to tank – with little in the way of repercussions.

With the glut of potential star talent at the very top of the draft, a group of players that has made every Suns fan at least once blush at the thought of adding one (or by some miracle two) of those players to the roster, it would only make sense for the Suns to use Booker’s injury as an excuse to attempt one last time to Blow it for Bamba or Do It for Doncic.

In fact, it would not only be accepted as an inevitability without Booker playing by the majority of the fan base, but Ryan McDonough would almost be irresponsible to not figure out how to work it out.

Now granted, during a potential extended absence of Booker the team should focus on continually developing Tyler Ulis, Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender, and Marquese Chriss by providing them with extended minutes, a viable and necessary plan for the future, and an abbreviated copy of last season. Yet as soon as Booker returns, the team should, and must, return to their current rotation that utilizes veterans and gives the strongest players the most minutes on the court, thus putting the team in a position to win game in and game out.