Can Devin Booker be the next Jalen Brunson? He has something to prove

Jalen Brunson is a rare NBA champion. He’s the champion for all small guards who could never break through and a pioneer for those who might in the future.

He should also be an inspiration for Devin Booker.

Here’s why:

Like Booker, Brunson does not possess extreme athleticism. He relies on elite footwork, guile, great ability in the clutch and a tenacity that cannot be matched. Brunson’s mental toughness is his basketball superpower, and through the sheer force of will, he carried the Knicks to their first title in 53 years.

In the process, he shamed all the skeptics who didn’t think he was a 1-A caliber player capable of being the MVP of an NBA championship team.

Now it’s Booker’s turn to prove the same.

Granted, Brunson was blessed with an excellent supporting cast in New York, something Booker has rarely enjoyed during his 11 years in Phoenix. To the contrary, Booker has often played out of position to better serve deficient teams.

He has played for seven different full-time head coaches. He endured fruitless seasons with Kevin Durant and a very strange year under head coach Mike Budenholzer, who was recently accused of alcoholism and derelict coaching by former Suns center Jusuf Nurkic.

It’s also true that something is noticeably different about Booker’s game. He defers to teammates too often. He’s overly consumed with officiating and perceived slights. His ability in the clutch is hit-and-miss, and he doesn’t take over games like he once did. In high-leverage situations, he has often been handcuffed and frustrated by a certain prototype of defender.

To the contrary …

Entering the NBA Finals, many felt the defensive physicality of the Spurs’ Stephon Castle might swallow up the much-smaller Brunson, especially after Castle caused fits for two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Except Brunson is the NBA’s ultimate problem solver, and he will not be denied.

Everyone thinks they can beat Jalen Brunson until it’s time to beat Jalen Brunson.

Why can’t Booker be that guy? Why can’t he prove to the world that he’s also a 1-A? Is the difference between he and Brunson that profound?

Many have suggested that Booker has grown too content in Phoenix, that he isn’t burning the way he once did. He is already the Suns’ all-time leading scorer. He’s won gold medals, earned maximum contracts and has his own line of popular shoes.

He is wealthy beyond imagination, and very happy in a city that adores him unconditionally.

Let’s hope Brunson’s performance reminds Booker of the possibilities ahead and the basketball assassin he needs to be. He doesn’t need to be bigger, stronger or faster. He just needs to be a killer, stronger between the ears and hungrier than he’s ever been.

Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. on Arizona Sports 98.7.

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