Phoenix Suns Devin Booker Keys to Winning MVP: Improved 3-Point Shooting
Few players illustrate offense more beautifully than Booker, but the one flaw within his approach lies outside the 3-point arc.
Last year during the regular season, Booker hit from deep at a lackluster 34.0 percent rate. Things grew even worse during the postseason, where he shot just 32.1 percent. Although not totally inadequate, those numbers stray far off from MVP standards.
With exception to Giannis Antetokounmpo for obvious reasons, no player has shot lower than that and managed to MVP in the last decade.
Right now, the 3-point shot remains the most popular offensive option in the modern game. With that considered, Booker must increase his efficiency while shooting it, especially with scoring the basketball being his most primary function as a player.
More triples flying through the net not only leads to higher percentages for voters to look at when discussing Booker’s MVP validity, but also increased scoring numbers. Since 2008, only two MVPs averaged fewer points than Booker’s 25.6 per contest.
So if Booker improves his shooting from outside, he essentially kills two birds with one stone in regard to his MVP criteria.