He can help push Devin Booker
One could argue that Noah both respected Booker enough to call for a double-team during a pick-up game and wanting to stop him, or disrespected Booker by not allowing him to play the game the way he apparently thought it should be player – straight up.
Either way, the tactic got under Book’s skin which for a player like Booker who is so dedicated to improving his craft, can only be a benefit to his own growth.
In Book’s four years with the Phoenix Suns so far, he has yet to really be pushed by anyone other than himself. Overall his teammates around him have sucked, and the truth of it is that even with players like Tyson Chandler, Trevor Ariza, and Ryan Anderson on the roster, none of them did anything well enough to help the team win, and therefore really did not hold any clout to demand more of the Young Sun.
Booker’s teammates though now appear to be decidedly better, which is only going to push the star more in practice, thus making him a better player when the bright lights turn on in the Arena.
Adding a player like Noah, who admittedly would probably be the third center on the roster but who does have a career of individual success behind him and obviously a temperament to win at all costs even in games that do not count, while Booker might not necessarily be forced to listen to him, he will be forced to adjust to the veteran’s style of play – which apparently will not adjust just because he is playing with Devin Booker.
Plus, don’t worry – Booker and Troy Daniels once had a very public feud following a scrap in a regular season game and they worked out together on the same roster just fine.
And hey – both Daniels and Noah last played for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Coincidence? I think absolutely.
James Jones should seriously consider signing Joakim Noah to a one-year deal to help continue to heighten the level of intensity and competitiveness on the Phoenix Suns’ young roster, specifically to help continue to push both Deandre Ayton and Devin Booker.
And hey – obviously Noah has some game left, and playing with a point guard like Ricky Rubio can only help bring out whatever last vestiges of the former All-Star center’s skills that do remain.