The Phoenix Suns were a topic of discussion on The Hoop Collective Podcast recently, getting love from Tim MacMahon, who believes the team will be competitive this season. Brian Windhorst then came over the top with a dose of reality, naming Devin Booker as the player who needs to get back to his best if the Suns are to have any chance of again catching the league by surprise.
"Devin Booker didn't have the greatest season last year... I can sit here and talk about the nuances of Khaman Maluach and obviously it would be really good if he turned into a defensive playmaker. But the truth is it they need Devin Booker to be a bona fide All-Star."
Booker hasn't been a top five player since 2021 NBA Finals
We've seen the 29-year-old selflessly slide into a co-star role on several occasions now, most recently alongside Kevin Durant. Yet, what the Suns desperately need from him is a return to 2021, when he was at his dominant best despite sharing the court with Chris Paul. He needs a true point guard next to him and the ball in his hands often to put the Suns on his back, as he has in the past, which Windhorst agreed with.
MacMahon did point out that in order for this needed change to happen, Jalen Green needs to come off the bench in favor of Collin Gillespie, a popular proposal among some Suns fans. That looks like the best outcome for both Booker and the Suns. But even if that doesn't happen, and it likely won't right away, their franchise cornerstone needs to be taking over games by himself, as he has so many times before.
Booker was too passive even when the best player in Phoenix last season
As Windhorst also pointed out, "he has proven he can play a role and be super effective on a team," referring to his successful stint with Team USA at the Olympic Games in Paris. Booker has all of the traits to be a star. We've seen it.
Still, you can't have that version of Booker playing next to Dillon Brooks and having the Canadian international be their best performer in a playoff series. That puts a clear ceiling on how good this group can be, and there has never been more pressure on Booker to get back to his best.
Add us as a preferred source on Google