The Phoenix Suns should refrain from trading for Russell Westbrook
By Adam Maynes
The Devin Booker Effect (it’s a Thing)
There is also the Devin Booker effect.
Last season Book proved himself to be a very good offensive facilitator leading the team at 6.8 assists per game (I love to point this out – Eric Bledsoe has never averaged more than 6.3).
That assist percentage was also above the likes of Mike Conley, DeMar DeRozan, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Kemba Walker, Bradley Beal, Stephen Curry, Jamal Murray, Fred VanVleet, Spencer Dinwiddie…I could literally go on and on.
Booker is going to continue to handle the ball a lot this season as he has proven that he should become a sort of 1-B passing option whether playing next to Westbrook or Rubio.
Before you say “well Paul George was a major ball-handler next to Westbrook,” consider this: last season Paul George tied his career-high in assists per game at 4.1 which he had reached twice before with Indiana.
Booker has already now already surpassed that mark twice.
George was an isolation-based offensive talent.
Booker is not.
I also believe that in his desire to be recognized as one of the best players in the league and is someone who is hell-bent on eventually becoming a multiple-time All-Star, Devin Booker is not going to let that stat slide too far from where it’s at and continue to be known as a willing and capable passer.
In other words: as ball-dominant as he will continue to be because of his dynamism as a scorer, he will too look to make the right decisions with the ball when faced with collapsing and intense double-teams and no longer feel like he has to force his way to the hoop as he will be able to trust his shooters around him.
In order to do that, he will need the ball more – which will take away from Westbrook’s ability to dominate the stat.