‘That’s real love’: Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton give loyal Suns fans props

Jul 1, 2021, 4:33 PM

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns celebrates with teammates Deandre Ayton #22 and Chris Paul #3 following the team's series win against the LA Clippers in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center on June 30, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

BY TYLER DRAKE

Cardinals reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

It was undoubtedly a whirlwind of emotions following the Phoenix Suns’ NBA Finals-clinching win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

And while the victory may have taken place in Los Angeles, the backing the Suns have seen all season from Phoenix and across the state of Arizona wasn’t lost in the moment.

“That’s real love. That’s a relationship that it’s hard to explain in words,” Devin Booker said after the win. “I tell people all the time, ‘Phoenix is my third home.’ They’ve embraced me that way since Day 1. I’ve put my head down, I’ve worked, I’ve been through a lot of [expletive], honestly. But just being who I am and seeing the bigger picture, having the tunnel vision on what this can be.

“I’ve seen the parade when they didn’t even win the Finals, they just made the Finals. Three hundred thousand people out there right in front of the arena. The love has been there since I’ve been here, even when we were at the bottom, they still showed up to games. Love around the city has always been there. Phoenix is my city.”

Booker has certainly been through it. After dwelling near the bottom of the NBA standings since his arrival to the Valley during the 2015-16 season, the guard has made the most of his first postseason run. Through his first 16 NBA playoff games, the guard is averaging 27 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists.

Per ESPN Stats & Info, the Suns’ .302 winning percentage for the five years leading up to this season is the lowest ever for a team to make the championship round.

Ayton echoed a similar sentiment. Being that the big man has spent high school, college and his NBA life in the state of Arizona, he’s seen a lot of the toil the organization has been through.

“Being a Phoenix Sun, I would say it’s amazing, man, because you know the type of fans and city behind you in a way,” Ayton said Wednesday. “First of all, the organization and your teammates is lit, they all show the same love, they all feel like family. But when the city got you? Yeah, I’ve been feeling that all year. When the city’s got you that’s when you really lock in.

“We play more than just for the family and the organization and your teammates. We’re playing for the fans and putting on a show for them. Give them something to talk about and have a little step in their walk. Just being a Phoenix Sun, I’ve been here since I was 16 and I’ve seen everything, I’ve seen how the organization was, I’ve seen it all. I’ve seen Book when he first got to Phoenix, I was in the 11th grade.”

What does it mean to be apart of the Phoenix Suns?

Sound up, allow @DeandreAyton to explain. 💯#NBAWCF presented by AT&T. @Suns #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/32P3RjuSFO

— NBA (@NBA) July 1, 2021

The Suns and their fans now have to sit through a waiting game as the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks enter their Eastern Conference matchup Thursday night with the series tied 2-2.

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Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George, center, is defended by Phoenix Suns' Jae Crowder, left, and Deandre Ayton during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul, right, is pressured by Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton defends during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George, left, is defended by Phoenix Suns' Jae Crowder during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard sits on the bench during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George defends during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers center DeMarcus Cousins celebrates after scoring during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George, center, screens Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker as Patrick Beverley, left, drives toward the basket during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers' Patrick Beverley reacts to a play during the first half in Game 6 of the the team's NBA basketball Western Conference final against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers' Patrick Beverley, right, gets his shot blocked by Phoenix Suns' Torrey Craig during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, dunks as Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann watches during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, left, is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, below, celebrates as guard Terance Mann stands in the background during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, center, pulls down a rebound during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams reacts to a foul call on his team during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers' Reggie Jackson, center left, is defended by Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig shoots and misses during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul reacts after being hit in the eye during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Reggie Jackson, second from right, and forward Marcus Morris Sr. defend during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. defends during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns' Jae Crowder celebrates his three-point basket during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers' Patrick Beverley dives in an unsuccessful attempt to retrieve a loose ball during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker dunks during the first half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers center DeMarcus Cousins asks for a foul call agains the Phoenix Suns during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann, center, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder, left, defends during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers' Patrick Beverley, center, is double-teamed by Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul, left, and Torrey Craig during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, top, fouls Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George, right, reaches in on Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul retrieves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers' Terance Mann during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, and guard Chris Paul, center, celebrate as head coach Monty Williams looks on as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, second from left, hugs Chris Paul, left, and Jae Crowder, second from right, as Devin Booker stands by as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, center, hoists the trophy as he and his players celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Members of the Phoenix Suns celebrates after winning Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers to take the series 4-2 Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers players watch action in the final seconds of Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won 130-103. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, center, hugs Devin Booker, left, as Chris Paul stands by as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George and head coach Tyronn Lue hug in the final seconds of Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won 130-103. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, and forward Jae Crowder celebrates as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, left, hugs Jae Crowder, second from right, while guard Chris Paul celebrates as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, right, hugs Dario Saric after they won Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Fans react after the Los Angeles Clippers' 130-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker rubs the Western Conference trophy after they won Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley takes off his jersey after being ejected from Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, left, embraces Chris Paul as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams hugs Chris Paul as they celebrate in the final seconds of Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Sun won 130-103. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, center, hugs Los Angeles Clippers' Kawhi Leonard after the Suns won Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns' Chris Paul hoists the trophy as he and his teammates celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, left, hugs actor Billy Crystal, center, as Crystal's wife Janice stands by after the Suns won Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne, left, celebrates with forward Mikal Bridges after the Suns won Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder, left, grabs a rebound away from Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers' Serge Ibaka, center hugs guard Paul George, left, as forward Kawhi Leonard looks on as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, goes after a loose ball along with Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker talks to fans as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr., left, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder, center, and center Deandre Ayton defend during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Clippers' Patrick Beverley leaves the arena after he was ejected from the game during the second half in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker, left, celebrates with Suns owner Robert Sarver, center, as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul celebrates toward fans as time runs out in Game 6 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. The Suns won the game 130-103 to take the series 4-2. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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