Phoenix Suns Devin Booker Keys to Winning MVP: Doing More for Teammates
Most players who come right into the NBA as elite scorers typically evolve into facilitators as they their develop their careers. LeBron James comes to mind as a first example, but so does Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard.
For Booker to take the step and emerge as an MVP frontrunner though, he needs to accomplish exactly that next season.
Booker put up a decent, but non-MVP worthy 4.3 assists per game last year. He averaged over 6.0 per game during both seasons before that, showing a clear digression which he needs to reverse.
Chris Paul’s presence on the team as an all-time great passer almost certainly caused this, but either way, Booker needs to improve. Only four times since 2000 has a player won MVP while averaging fewer assists per game than Booker did last year.
Still as an all-league scorer, Booker frequently draws double teams, so if he looks to drive and kick more often, then he also sets himself up for easy assists whenever that second defender slides over. Keep in mind, Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder still run out along the wing for Suns, who both remain deadeye shooters, certain to cash in on open looks should Booker find them.