Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker not worried about Lakers fans
Oct 24, 2018, 2:10 PM
(AP Photo/Matt York)
The “Beat L.A.!” chants will be in full effect for the Phoenix Suns Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Or will it?
With the signing of LeBron James in the offseason, Lakers fans are now joined with fans who only follow James — no matter which team he plays for.
But Suns star Devin Booker isn’t concerned with traveling fans.
“I don’t really pay too much attention to that,” Booker said Wednesday.
The Suns are coming off of a 123-103 loss to the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena, one of the loudest arenas in the NBA.
Booker recognizes the correlation between defending home court and having a winning culture.
“You see the good teams in the league … they always secure their home court,” he said. “(They) always have a better record at their home arena and just being about protecting your home ground. You’re in front of your city, your fans, your comfort level.”
Phoenix won only 10 games at home last season. Their opponent, the Lakers, won 20.
Booker dropped 35 points including 19 in the fourth quarter in a 121-100 home opener win against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Suns are looking to get their second win of the season in only their second home game. But Wednesday night may look like a Lakers home game.
“The opposing fans have more fans in here than us, but it’s part of the situation we’re in right now, that we have been in the past few years,” Booker said. “They have an incredible fan base that travels very well and they find their way into every gym I’d say. Especially with the LeBron effect now.”
James and the Lakers (0-3) are looking for their first win of the season. Booker will try to lead his team to spoil that for Lakers fans and hopes to hear the Phoenix crowd more.
“We practice here everyday, we train here everyday. So I think it should be time for us it bring it every single time that we’re here.”
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