Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker midseason grade: A
The Suns’ No. 1 is continuing his rise to becoming legendary. After initially starting the season a little slow to his standards, Devin Booker has grown into the season and put up an All-Star selection-worthy campaign.
Booker is more determined than ever to reach the playoffs, something he hasn’t done in his short time in Phoenix so far. He’s endured some of the Suns’ worst years as a franchise and finally has the right pieces around him to make a run in the postseason.
The All-Star guard is averaging a solid 24.9 points per game and 4.4 assists. While those stats are slightly down from last season, what stands out the most in Booker’s sixth season in the NBA, is his efficiency. Despite being a former 3-point contest champion in the peak era of the Splash Brothers, Booker’s best attribute is his midrange game.
Shooting an imposing 49.6% from the field, Booker is developing into a midrange monster. His game has ascended to allow him to score from anywhere on the court. From backing down an opponent, to catch and shoot, to fadeaways, to inbound plays Booker can score them all, and score efficiently.
As the face of the franchise, Booker wants a taste of the playoffs as much as the fans and he is leading the team into uncharted territory as one of the top teams in the NBA.