Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker is the modern-day Kobe Bryant

Mamba State of Mind is Loyal and Hates Losing

The 8th wonder of the world, Kobe Bryant, was loyal to LA (for the most part). Similar to Kobe and his loyalty, Devin has proven his fealty to Phoenix on several occasions. Most recently, there were several rumors that Devin was growing weary of losing and that he wanted out of the desert.

Monty Williams went on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station radio a week ago to say that “Devin loves Phoenix…” and that he “…want’s to make it right here…” Ensuring to set the record straight, he goes on to say:

"“I think he’s going to be one of the few guys that is with a team for 15+ years because he’s that vested in the program, that vested in the city. Obviously when you go through a tough time and you lose as many emotional games as we’ve lost, it can create some of that but from my perspective, I’ve seen none of that.”"

Losing is the direct result of displeasure in the NBA, and just as Kobe Bryant hated to lose, Devin Booker has lost, A LOT, in his short stint with the Phoenix Suns. On an interview with Slam Magazine, the 23-year-old goes on to say that he is, “…done with not making the playoffs,” and he means business this season.

Phoenix has been through a rough stretch – losing a few must win games, along with blowing a 21-point lead. However, Phoenix has not wavered, winning 6 of their last 10 and 4 of their last 5 games. Considering all of the injuries, coupled with Ayton’s 25 game suspension, and the fact that the Suns only won a total of 19 games last season – they are in a better place than they were this time last season, by a long shot. Currently, they are the 10th seed in the Western Conference, two games behind the Grizzlies for the 8th spot.

Kobe may have had a lot of winning seasons – but he understood that winning was a process, and that process takes time. Mamba didn’t jump ship when he didn’t make it past the first round, although he did ask for a trade, but we won’t get into that since the Lakers went on to win two championships after the trade demand.

Devin has not had a season where the Suns were over .500, but he continues to play the best basketball of his career in an attempt to end that streak. If that’s not the Mamba Mentality, silencing the negativity around you and playing the best game you can, then I don’t know what is.