Phoenix Suns guard, Devin Booker is finally going to the All-Star game. With that, he is finally getting the respect he rightfully deserves.
A a game against the Memphis Grizzlies in which Damian Lillard suffered a groin injury, Lillard stated he would not participate in any All-Star weekend festivities and recommended Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker take this place.
The NBA agreed, and now it feels like Devin Booker is finally getting the respect he deserves from the league, the fans, and the media.
Since college, Booker has been underrated. He came off the bench at Kentucky and dropped to 13th on draft night. Since then, he has received unfair criticism on his NBA teams success, ridiculous backfire over a pickup game, and pretty much everything else.
In 2014-2015 the Suns traded away Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas, brought in Brandon Knight, and finished the season with 39 wins after winning 48 games the previous season. Phoenix used their 13th overall pick to select a spot-up shooter from Kentucky, Devin Booker.
Entering the NBA, Booker was fighting for consistent minutes, with Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight starting, and Archie Goodwin, Ronnie Price, and Sonny Weems getting the backup guard minutes.
It was tough for the rookie to show off his talents.
Soon enough, Booker got his chance. An unfortunate injury to Bledsoe was a blessing in disguise for Booker. Devin took Bledsoe’s spot in the starting lineup next to Brandon Knight and never looked back.
After being let go by the Suns, former Head Coach, Earl Watson, claimed that management and his coaching staff wanted to go back to the starting back court of Bledsoe and Knight, but Watson fought and started Devin Booker.
Now in his 5th NBA season, Booker has been selected to his first All-Star game. This will also be his 4th appearance in the 3-point contest.
Devin is playing the best basketball of his life on both ends of the floor. Fans and media now universally mention Booker among the top shooting guards in the league.
Simply put, Booker is becoming a household name. His life long grind and dedication is finally paying off, and Booker is receiving the recognition he rightfully deserves.
And he is not even close to his full potential.