Devin Booker’s stats historically improve after the All-Star break. Now that the Phoenix Suns frontman is an All-Star, an improved stat line could help the Phoenix Suns make a playoff run.
For his career, after the All-Star break, Devin Booker’s averages go up in almost every statistical category dating back to his rookie season. After finally being named an NBA All-Star, you start to wonder how much better Booker will play, as the Phoenix Suns try for a late playoff push.
Monday’s game against the Utah Jazz was the third game back from the break, and the Suns are now 2-1 in that stretch with a comeback win against the Chicago Bulls and dropping one to the Toronto Raptors. In the very small sample of 3 games played, Booker is averaging 24.7 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.7 assists, on 43/42/94 shooting splits. The Phoenix Suns are 4.5 games back from a playoff spot, making this a perfect time for Devin Booker to turn it on and end the franchise playoff drought.
Last season, Booker put up 24.6 points per game, 4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in the 1st half of the season. However, after the All-Star break, Booker was red hot, averaging 31 points, on 48/32/89 shooting splits after the All-Star break.
Booker had 19 games of 20 or more points, eight games of 30 or more points, 5 games of 40 or more points, and back to back games of 50 point games (despite what ESPN would have you believe) in his final 20 games.
If Booker were to play anywhere near that level, the Suns would have a great chance of making the playoffs, assuming his teammates help him out.
Even though Booker has shown he can get it going whenever he wants, the problem, historically, has been his team. You can’t win playing 1 on 5 (ask Bradley Beal), and Booker desperately needs assistance on the court.
Every player on the Suns has to step up, Ayton needs to consistently dominate inside, Rubio needs to continue dropping dimes, and everyone needs to play their part as they did against the Utah Jazz Monday night.
I only see the Suns winning around 32 games and missing the playoffs, but I hope this team proves me wrong. Despite probably missing the playoffs, this is the most fun I have had watching the Suns since the surprise 48 win season. Hopefully, they can keep the fun going.