DOUG

Devin Booker was a great pick by the Phoenix Suns, but …

Jun 26, 2015, 8:59 AM | Updated: 9:00 am

...

Devin Booker was the most talented player on the board when the Phoenix Suns drafted at No. 13 Thursday night. It is never a mistake to take the best player available.

The Suns desperately needed shooting. The Suns drafted a player who could be the best shooter in the draft.

The Suns need a more professional locker room that embraces competition. The Suns drafted a player who’s father played professional basketball, but never had it easy playing in the CBA and overseas.

It appears the Suns nailed this draft pick.

However, there are two enormous negatives associated with it: age and inexperience.

Obviously, it doesn’t take a genius to point out draft picks are young and haven’t played professionally, yet. Booker will turn 19 at the beginning of the Suns’ season. Nineteen normally means D-League. If Booker stays the whole season in Phoenix, 19 means turnovers on a team that has massive turnover problems.

A 19-year-old kid in an unprofessional locker room that lacks leadership and competitive fight is a terrible combination. It takes incredible mental toughness to stay focused on ignoring the noise and distractions caused by those that think the game is about them.

Most 19-year-olds can’t handle entering an immature, somewhat toxic, situation and come out as the elixir. If Devin Booker can, this pick is a home run. If Ryan McDonough can not make dramatic changes in the culture of the current Suns, or Booker falls into the trap set by the me-first guys in the group, Booker will shock Suns’ fans with the success he has with his next organization.

Doug

Houston Astros starting pitcher Corbin Martin throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first ...

Doug Franz

Diving deeper with the D-backs on the trades they made

I talked to different members of the Diamondbacks’ front office tonight. It was made clear to me they never looked at themselves as a typical seller.

5 years ago

The Arizona Diamondbacks from left, Jon Jay, A.J. Pollock, Nick Ahmed celebrate the team's 7-1 win ...

Doug Franz

Facing a daunting September, D-backs need to get hot in August

The Diamondbacks desperately needed their April domination to create a buffer for their collapse in May. They might need the same in August for September.

6 years ago

Baltimore Orioles' Manny Machado (13) celebrates in the dugout his home run off Chicago White Sox's...

Doug Franz

Get Manny: For a playoff berth, D-backs need to go after Machado

The Arizona Diamondbacks are wasting time. Every day Manny Machado is in another team's lineup is another day playing a game of chicken the D-backs will lose.

6 years ago

Arizona State's Kimani Lawrence (14), along with Colorado's McKinley Wright IV (25) and Namon Wrigh...

Doug Franz

ASU’s NCAA Tournament resume pokes holes in selection process

If Arizona State is included in the NCAA tournament field, the system is flawed. If ASU is not included in the field, the system is run by hypocrites.

6 years ago

(Matt Layman/Arizona Sports)...

Doug Franz

Thoughts from Newsmakers Week, Day 3: Majerle and Anderson in studio

GCU coach Dan Majerle, Suns President/CEO Jason Rowley, Suns VP of Basketball Ops James Jones and ASU AD Ray Anderson joined Doug & Wolf on Newsmakers Week.

6 years ago

(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)...

Tom Kuebel

Kerwynn Williams plays through pain and brings stability to the offense

Kerwynn Williams provided a bright spot in the Cardinals backfield and helped propel the team to their sixth win of the season by beating the Titans 12-7. 

6 years ago

Devin Booker was a great pick by the Phoenix Suns, but …