Suns coach: Evolution of Devin Booker continues
Mar 15, 2016, 10:32 AM
Phoenix Suns' Devin Booker, front, is fouled by Minnesota Timberwolves' Zach LaVine during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 14, 2016, in Phoenix. The Suns won 107-104. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
If just one thing is taken from the Phoenix Suns’ 2015-16 season, it will be the introduction to and ascension of Devin Booker.
The guard, who was chosen with the 13th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, has evolved into a go-to player for the Suns. At just 19 years of age, he is giving the franchise hope that it may have found a star in the 6-foot-6, 206-pound shooting guard.
On the season, Booker is averaging 12.3 points, 2.3 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game while shooting 43 percent from the field and 37 percent from 3-point range. In 36 games as a starter, though, he is averaging 16.4 points, 3.3 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game. The shooting percentages have dipped as a starter, but that is to be expected with heavier minutes and more attention paid to him by opposing teams.
While the statistics are nice, there was one play in Monday’s 107-104 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves that stood out as a sign of not only growth, but talent. The Suns trailed by one in the final minute, and a play was drawn up for the rookie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExlUbEwVZbc&t=1m33s
“Well we knew that, going down the stretch and you talk about embracing our process, Devin Booker had two or three plays where he lost the ball, he’s fouled, and Zach LaVine, he didn’t chase him close enough and he hit a three,” Suns coach Earl Watson told Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Tuesday morning. “So we called a timeout and when we got into the huddle, I didn’t even know what play I was going to run yet.
“I wanted to look at their eyes first to see who was really engaged.”
While Booker was having a decent game, he was going through a bit of a rough patch prior to that last shot. With the Suns up one, the rookie turned the ball over before fouling Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio.
Rubio made both free throws, putting the Timberwolves up one and setting the stage for the rookie’s heroics. Watson made the decision to get the ball to Booker after seeing him in the huddle.
“Knowing Booker the way I know Booker, and looking at him, you could tell he wanted the basketball,” Watson said. “He wanted to come out do something and get back into the game because he understood it’s part of the process. He’s 19, he’s going to have those challenges down the stretch.”
This was not the first time the Suns put the ball in Booker’s hands in a key situation, and it surely will not be the last. But in calling the first-year pro’s number, Watson made sure to design something he could handle.
“We wanted to simplify the offense and give him the ball at the elbow,” the coach said. “That’s the evolution of Devin Booker: finishing games at the elbow.
“LeBron (James), Kobe Bryant, old-school Brandon Roy — give him the ball at the elbow and let him just create it. He came back strong and hit an and-one.”
Booker finished the game with 16 points, six assists, three rebounds and six turnovers.
Of course, Booker did not sink the game-winning shot, as Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins tied the game with just four seconds remaining. However, the Suns emerged victorious on Mirza Teletovic’s 3-pointer just a few seconds later.
